Norwich City and Ipswich Town might repeat their 2015 record this season

admin | February 10, 2024 | Other Clubs | No Comments

Despite a strong start to the Championship season, Ipswich Town may have to settle for a play-off spot rather than immediate promotion this season.

Ipswich supporters would have been overjoyed if you had told them this at the start of the season after they had returned to the second division from League One, but such a promising start encouraged fans to dream of automatic promotion.

East Anglian rivals Norwich City, who are now outside the top six, might potentially meet again in the Championship play-offs, as they did in the semi-finals in 2015.

A repeat of 2015 could be on the cards

Under Alex Neil, Norwich finished third in the Championship table in 2015, three points short of automatic promotion.

Meanwhile, in Suffolk, rivals Ipswich Town secured a play-off berth on goal difference under Mick McCarthy despite finishing level on points with Wolves.

This created a rare situation in which two fierce rivals faced battle in the play-offs, with both sides vying for the ultimate bragging rights.

Norwich finished higher than Ipswich, giving them home advantage in the second leg, therefore they traveled south to Portman Road for the first game on May 9, 2015.

As expected, it was a cagey game played in a hostile setting.

Norwich took the lead on 41 minutes through Jonny Howson, but Ipswich equalised just minutes later through Paul Anderson, and that was how the game ended in Suffolk, leaving everything to play for in the rematch a week later.

Just after halftime, Ipswich’s Christophe Berra was sent off for a handball, giving the home side the advantage at Carrow Road.

Wes Hoolahan converted from the penalty spot, and Norwich appeared to have one foot in the play-off final.

However, Tommy Smith equalised for Ipswich’s eleven men with half an hour remaining, leaving them in position to cause a massive upset.

However, Nathan Redmond and Cameron Jerome scored to help the Canaries win 4-2 on aggregate.

Norwich went on to win the play-off final against Middlesbrough, securing their immediate return to the Premier League.

Norwich vs Ipswich in 2023-24

Ipswich and Norwich met for the first time since 2019 in December at Portman Road.

Despite being second in the league at the time, the Tractor Boys were unable to secure the victory, settling for a 2-2 draw after coming from behind twice.

Ipswich have a dismal record against their East Anglian rivals, having not beaten them since 2009 and not winning at Carrow Road since 2006.

The teams will meet again on April 6, 2024, when Ipswich will be desperate to snap their winless streak against their opponents.

A repetition of 2015 is not out of the question, and considering their record against Ipswich, Norwich would undoubtedly fancy their chances if the occasion arises.

Leeds and Southampton are in fantastic form, and Ipswich’s has recently gone down, so you’d almost expect them to finish in the play-off spots, while Norwich are only two points away from a top six berth, with possibly two spots to play for.

David Wagner’s team will need to perform well and work hard, but it is not impossible for Norfolk to face Suffolk in May.