A strange season filled with bad luck and a managerial change has landed a very good Norwich City team in the promotion playoffs. On the balance of their play and their squad, they probably should have been promoted automatically, but they got off to a rough start in the Championship, came up against a lot of keepers playing out of their minds, and Alex Neil did well to get them up to third. Their reward for their efforts is a local derby playoff semifinal against Ipswich Town.
Ipswich Town vs. Norwich City, Championship playoffs: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
A rare proper local derby in the playoffs will see one of Ipswich or Norwich dump the other out of the promotion race.
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It’s been a sensational season for Tractor Boys striker Daryl Murphy, who inexplicably tallied 22 goals this campaign. The 32-year-old has spent a lifetime as a fairly average forward, but has put together two incredible seasons, helping his side into the playoffs at the expense of Derby County. They are, for the most part, a team of seasoned Championship veterans, though 22-year-old defender Tyrone Mings has emerged as an exciting young star for the club.
Norwich grabbed three points and kept a clean sheet in both of their meetings against Ipswich this season. However, Lewis Grabban, who scored a goal in each match, will not be available for either leg of this playoff tie.
Ipswich Town injuries and suspensions
Out: Luke Hyam (knee). In doubt: David McGoldrick (thigh)
Norwich City injuries and suspensions
Out: Lewis Grabban (suspension). In doubt: Steven Whittaker (hamstring), Alex Tettey (knee), Cameron Jerome (knock)
Match date/time: Saturday, 7:15 a.m. ET, 12:15 p.m. local
Venue: Portman Road, Ipswich, England
TV: beIN Sports (U.S. and Canada), Sky Sports 1 (U.K.)
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S. and Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
