Norwich City are gearing up for a crucial East Anglian derby against Ipswich Town at Portman Road this afternoon, making a single change to their starting eleven. Manager Liam Manning has opted to replace Emiliano Marcondes with Topic, a move designed to bolster the midfield as the Canaries aim to extend their unbeaten streak against their local rivals to 15 matches.
After a disappointing 1-0 defeat to West Brom earlier in the week, Manning’s decision to retain ten players from that lineup reflects his confidence in the squad's ability to reclaim their dominance in this historic rivalry. The introduction of Topic signals a tactical shift to a midfield three, which could enhance both creativity and stability in what is traditionally a fiercely contested encounter.
The stakes are high for Norwich. The team has not lost to Ipswich since April 2009, and the pressure mounts as they seek to reverse their fortunes following five consecutive home defeats. The Canaries are currently grappling with a growing injury crisis that has sidelined several key players. Captain Kenny McLean continues to battle through a back injury but remains in the starting lineup. In contrast, Papa Amadou Diallo is expected to be out for the remainder of the year after undergoing surgery on a quad injury sustained in a recent match against Wrexham.
Mathias Kvistgaarden is predicted to be unavailable for three to four weeks due to a knee issue, while Ben Chrisene is set to miss at least five weeks because of a hamstring injury. The injury woes do not stop there; Anis Ben Slimane is also dealing with a quad issue, and Gabriel Forsyth recently underwent minor surgery for a long-standing meniscus problem.
Ipswich Town, on the other hand, are looking to gain momentum after a sluggish start to the season. They are expected to field a strong lineup, featuring talents such as Hirst and Philogene, as they aim to secure their first victory over Norwich in over a decade. Notably, Marcelino Nunez, who controversially transferred to Ipswich from Carrow Road this summer, is on the bench and could play a significant role if called upon.
As kick-off approaches, there is a palpable sense of urgency among the Norwich squad. A win today would not only provide a crucial morale boost but could also act as a catalyst for a more favourable run of fixtures following the international break. With a proud legacy in this fixture at stake, Norwich will be eager to leave Portman Road with all three points and a renewed sense of purpose.
### Norwich City Starting XI:
**Kovacevic; Stacey, Darling, Cordoba, Fisher; Mattsson, McLean (C), Topic; Crnac, Schwartau, Sargent.**
**SUBS:** Grimshaw (GK), Medic, Gibbs, Jurasek, Marcondes, Wright, Makama, Schlupp, Mahovo.
### Ipswich Town Starting XI:
**Palmer (GK); Furlong, Kipre, O'Shea (C), Davis; Matusiwa, Cajuste; Egeli, Szmodics, Philogene; Hirst.**
**SUBS:** Walton (GK), Taylor, Young, McAteer, Greaves, Akpom, Azon, Nunez, Clarke.
With the match imminent, all eyes will be on whether Norwich can rise to the occasion and maintain their impressive record against Ipswich.