Uni v Hallam, Rangers v Celtic, Newcastle v Sunderland, Arsenal v Tottenham, Ipswich v Norwich......??

Hi,
I hope the weather is treating you well, the snow seems to be settling everywhere in the country apart from in Crookesmoor.
This weekend is the big derby match. No, Varsity hasn't come round early, it's not time for the Old Firm...rather the Old Farm.
When you mention derby matches in sport, the names Ipswich Town and Norwich City don't spring to mind for most people outside of the little corner of East Anglia where the two County Towns of Suffolk and Norfolk reside. But, this fixture is anticipated as eagerly and fought as fiercely as Yorkshire v Lancashire, Arsenal v Tottenham or Newcastle and Sunderland.

If you're having a small snigger at this, I don't blame you, were it not for my witnessing of this event myself I probably wouldn't believe me either. And yes, you're right, Norwich and Ipswich are hardly neighbours, there's in fact around 40 miles between them, but, as The Ashes shows, it's not proximity that makes a rivalry fierce, in fact it can be the little moments in time. There's still a reasonable rivalry between Ipswich and Sheffield United fans after a particularly brutal playoff semi final match, where Mauricio Taricco ended in tears, poor lamb.

The Old Farm, as it has increasingly become known has had its fair share of drama. A last minute winner for Ipswich at Norwich a few years ago came from the hand of youngster Danny Haynes. Kevin Lisbie (on loan at Norwich at the time, now among the Ipswich ranks) managed to get Spaniard Sito sent off a couple of years ago in another fractious affair at Portman Road.

This year's match sees two under-fire managers go head to head. Glenn Roeder's first match in charge at Carrow Road was against Ipswich, his side coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2. He needs a win this Sunday, or it could be curtains for the former Newcastle boss. Norwich find themselves just three points and one position off the drop zone in the Championship table, it's unthinkable that The Canaries could go down. But, and here's the thing - Roeder let Darren Huckerby (Canaries talisman) go this summer, promising young and exciting players coming through to improve fortunes on the pitch. That decision caused an outcry. I was working on a radio station in Norwich when the decision was announced, the public reaction was phenomenal.

Similarly Jim Magilton is under a bit of pressure at Portman Road. An unbeaten streak had silenced critics somewhat but then defeats to Doncaster and Birmingham as well as a home draw against Sheffield United have brought back murmurings of unrest, not only in the terraces, but in the squad. Lose on Sunday, and Magilton will be feeling the pressure. He's spent a lot of money, on quality players, but the decision to sign Ivan Campo on what must be quite a big contract (money-wise) and then not to play the Champions League winner has bewildered some fans.

So get down to Bar One on Sunday, or to a pub, your front room, and watch a proper local derby, without Robinho and Ronaldo on show, but rather Counago and Lita, on Sky Sports. I guarantee goals, fouls, and lots of action, I can't guarantee that the football will be brilliant, but hey, it's not the Premier League. For the record, I fancy a Norwich win, 2-1. Leroy Lita will destroy Ipswich if he gets the chance. That'll mean Ipswich will romp to a 3-0 victory then...

Good luck to you if you're in sporting action this week. Emails can be sent to online.sport@forgetoday.com if you've got any comments.

Cheers

Ben Drury