Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the Championship meeting between Ipswich Town and Derby County at Portman Road.

These two sides are currently flying high in the second tier, sitting in second and third place respectively and with real aspirations of gaining automatic promotion this campaign. The hosts have gone 12 games without defeat in all competition now, while Derby have recovered from a minor blip to close to within two points of this afternoon's opponents.

Kickoff is less than 30 minutes away in East Anglia, so let's take a look at how both sides line up for this one...

TEAM NEWS!

IPSWICH TOWN STARTING XI: Bialkowski, Chambers, Smith, Berra, Mings, Hyam, Anderson, Tabb, Bishop, Murphy, McGoldrick

DERBY COUNTY STARTING XI: Grant, Christie, Buxton, Keogh, Forsyth, Hendrick, Eustace, Hughes, Russell, Ibe, Martin

Starting with the hosts, then, and they are without Cole Skuse for this afternoon's clash due to illness. Jay Tabb has overcome a sickness bug of his own which saw him sit out Town's last match in order to return on the left-hand, while Conor Sammon is ineligible against his parent club.

As far as Derby are concerned, manager Steve McClaren has opted to name an unchanged side from last time out in the Championship, meaning that Darren Bent will have to wait to make his first start for the club. The Rams are of course without the services of Leon Best this afternoon, with the striker returning to Blackburn Rovers this week upon the end of his loan spell.

BENCH WATCH!

IPSWICH TOWN SUBS: Gerken, Parr, Bru, S.Hunt, Ambrose, N.Hunt, Bajner

DERBY COUNTY SUBS: Roos, Bryson, Dawkins, Ward, Shotton, Mascarell, Bent

As already touched upon, former Ipswich striker Bent will start on the bench for the visitors this afternoon, while the Tractor Boys have named new recruit Noel Hunt among their subs. He is joined by brother Stephen on the bench, and both could be given the chance to shine should this game remain tight in the second half.

PRE-MATCH: #DCFC's players have arrived at Portman Road ahead of today's @SkyBetChamp game against @Official_ITFC pic.twitter.com/L8GFnNkvR5 — Derby County (@dcfcofficial) January 10, 2015

Well Ipswich come into this game on the back of a strong run of results, bettered only by league leaders Bournemouth in the current form table. Eleven games without defeat in the league and 12 in all competitions if you include last week's respectable draw at Southampton, Blues supporters really are dreaming of a return to the Premier League at this moment in time.

The truth is Ipswich don't tend to lose too many games - just three all season in fact - which has seen them become one of the toughest sides to face in the land this campaign - Southampton will vouch for that! Victory today will see Mick McCarthy's men climb above Bournemouth to the summit. Well, for a few hours at least, with the Cherries taking on Norwich City later today looking to regain their top spot.

It will not be easy for them, though, coming up against a Derby side who themselves are looking good for promotion this term. In fact, should the Rams take all three points in East Anglia this afternoon, they will leapfrog their opponents into a much-coveted automatic promotion spot. McClaren has pushed on from where he left on last season, hoping to go one better than defeat in the playoff final.

Derby hit a minor blip at the end of November, but they recovered over the festive period by seeing out the year with back-t-back-victories, including a 4-0 away triumph at Birmingham City, to move a massive eight points clear of Norwich City in seventh place. Anything less than promotion this season will be season a disappointment, you feel.

DID YOU KNOW? Ipswich have won more points at home than any other side in the vision, including victories in their last five meetings at Portman Road. To make things even tougher for Derby, the Tractor Boys also boast the division's second best defensive record, keeping nine clean sheets in all.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS: The omens also look good for Town in terms of the previous meetings between these sides. In the last 11 encounters Ipswich have won nine, although they were held to a 1-1 draw back in August.

The in-form striker has bagged 17 goals this campaign, making him the division's top scorer:

Congratulations Daryl Murphy who was voted Greene King player of the month in association with ITFC Supporters club. pic.twitter.com/LtSpx1X8gx — Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 10, 2015

PREDICTION: Well kickoff is now just a matter of minutes away, so there's just enough time to give you a pre-match prediction. The saying suggests that there are no easy games in the Championship, and never is that truer than when the division's top sides come together. Ipswich have been incredible form this season, particularly at home, although I believe that Derby can hold them to another 1-1 draw this afternoon.

KICKOFF! Here we go, then, as Derby County get the first Championship action of 2015 underway at Portman Road.

A lot of the ball has been contested in the Ipswich half in the opening couple of minutes of the game, although neither side have been able to truly take control of things thus far.

SAVE! Derby survive an early scare as Lee Grant pushes away Tabb's strike. The midfielder showed some great movement to get in behind, although Christie made things all too easy for him. Luckily for the visitors, Grant was alert and kept out the shot from inside the area, with Murphy failing to capitalise on the rebound.

Ipswich are on top at the moment, buoyed by that early chance which Tabb failed to capitalise on. You get the sense that we could see a large amount of chances like that created this afternoon, it's just a case of which side takes more of their openings.

Grant horribly scuffs his clearance, yet thankfully for him it went straight to the feet of a player sporting a white shirt, meaning that any danger was averted.

Ipswich continue to take the game to their opponents, although that early chance aside they haven't created a great deal. Derby will be happy to soak up some early pressure, but we can surely expect them to up their own game as this contest progresses.

SHOT! The Tractor Boys certainly look by far the sharper side at the moment, and some smart interplay between Murphy and McGoldrick on the edde of the box leads to the latter bending a shot which doesn't end too far away from the target. Good play from the hosts, who are knocking on the door for a breakthrough goal.

CHANCE! It has taken 15 mintutes but Derby have finally awoken. Some good play by Jordon Ibe down the left saw the youngster create some space to pull the ball back for Jeff Hendrick to strike in the centre of the penalty area, although his goalbound effort was blocked away. Christie fired the rebound well over the bar from outside the area.

YELLOW CARD! Tommy Smith wipes out Russell on the edge of the box to pick up the game's first yellow. The Rams could further punish their opponents with this free kick from around 22 yards out.

CLOSE! And Russell so nearly did punish Ipswich. He struck his free kick in a near-perfect manner, getting the dip and swerve needed to clear the wall, but missing the back of the net by a matter of inches.

So after Ipswich took control of the game inside the opening 12 minutes or so, Derby have well and truly grown into the contest since. It has been evenly-matched on the whole, with both sides creating a chance each, although at the moment we remain goalless.

Will Hughes, who I have yet to mention thus far, produces a fine piece of skill to set Christie away down the right, although the full-back overhit the ball as he raced to the byline which eventually run out of play.

McGoldrick's shot is deflected behind which allows Ipswich to swing in another set piece, and it looked to cause real danger inside the opposition box, but the Rams were able to clear their danger in the end without any damage done.

We've experienced a bit of a quiet spell over the last few minutes as both sides continue to cancel each other out, with the only effort on goal coming from Paul Anderson, who tried his luck from around 25 yards out to no avail.

Hughes, now playing as one of his side's deepest players, plays a quick-paced ball into the feet of Martin, who zips a first-time pass out to Christie on the right. The full-back couldn't pick out a white shirt inside the area, though, with Ipswich clearing away.

Derby have upped things once more, earning a corner through Hughes's blocked cross, but they were unable to capitalise on the set piece opening. There was a little shout for a penalty from a couple of the visiting players after the ball appeared to graze the arm of Mings, but the referee got his call to wave play on spot on.

We are still goalless at Portman Road with 10 minutes to go until half time...

ACTION SHOT: Luke Chambers wins a header for Town v @dcfcofficial #itfc pic.twitter.com/eaWuCgYNq9 — Ipswich Town FC (@Official_ITFC) January 10, 2015

Derby have been the better side for the large majority of this first half, having grown into the game more and more. They are playing some decent football around the opposition box, but ultimately unable to make the most of some decent crossed into the area. Will we see a god before the interval?

YELLOW CARD! John Eustace becomes the second play to enter the referee's book for dragging back McGoldrick.

CHANCES! Both sides come close to finding a way through as we enter the final five minutes of the half. First, Murphy used his strength to bear down on goal, although he opted to strike over the bar rather than square the ball to a better-placed teammate from a tight angle. Up the other end Martin appeared to get the smallest of touches on a ball over the top, but not enough contact to get the better of Bialkowski who easily collected.

Some brilliant defending from Berra denies Russell from getting a shot away at goal from close range. If either side is going to make a breakthrough this side of half time, it looks as though it will be McClaren's men who find it.

YELLOW CARD! Things have boiled over slightly here, as Eustace barges McGoldrick over. Both players squared up, and it was actually the latter who entered the referee's book, rather than Eustace who has of course already been shown a yellow.

Hendrick wins his side a corner in the dying stages of the first half. Derby will just about have enough time to swing this in by the looks of things, but can they make it count?

The answer is no. Referee Kevin Wright brings the first half to a close, with the sides looked at 0-0. It has hardly been a classic, but both teams have certainly had their moments.

The first chance of the afternoon fell the way of Tabb, who forced Grant into making a solid stop, while Murphy also blasted an effort over the bar when he had a teammate better placed. It has been evenly-matched on the whole, although Derby have arguably shaded things slightly, coming closest to scoring in the opening 45 minutes through Hendrick and Russell.

BENCH WATCH!

IPSWICH TOWN SUBS: Gerken, Parr, Bru, S.Hunt, Ambrose, N.Hunt, Bajner

DERBY COUNTY SUBS: Roos, Bryson, Dawkins, Ward, Shotton, Mascarell, Bent

A quick reminder of the two sides' benches this afternoon, and as things stand it's likely that this game could be won by a smart decision made by either manager in the second half. Hunt brothers Stephen and Noel will no doubt be keen to make an impression while, in terms of the visitors, Bent will surely be introduced at some stage against his former club.

The players are now back out onto the pitch with the second half just a couple of minutes away. A reminder that Ipswich can climb to the top of the table with victory this afternoon, while Derby will leapfrog their opponents into second with a win. The incentive is certainly there - what will this second period bring?

SECOND HALF UNDERWAY! No changes at the interval for either side, as Ipswich get proceedings back underway.

The crowd shout for a penalty when Mings goes down inside the area, although referee Kevin Wright made the correct call by dismissing these claims. To be fair to Mings, he was straight back to his feet.

SAVE! The first opening of the second half falls the way of Ipswich, who come close to opening the scoring through Bishop. The hosts hit Derby on the counter, and as soon as Bishop was picked out by Hyam he had just one thing on his mind - shoot! He did exactly that from around 30 yards out, testing Grant with a swerving effort which the Rams stopper did well to keep out.

PENALTY APPEAL! The third shout for a penalty in this game, but this one has far more substance than the previous two. Tabb's cross came off the top of Keogh's arm, although the referee decided against pointing to the spot. That looked to be the incorrect call to me, which could cost Ipswich should they fail to get off the mark.

Christie has got into many decent positions so far this afternoon, and he does so once more by charging down the line and producing a cross for Martin, which the striker heads over. The ball was slightly behind him which meant he was leaning back when making contact.

IPSWICH TOWN SUB: Mick McCarthy is the first to roll the dice, introducing Stephen Hunt in place of Tabb.

What a huge moment in this Championship season, as Chris Martin gives Derby County a 1-0 lead at Portman Road. It came about after some poor defending from Smith, who failed to cut out a hopeful ball over the top. The defender looked to head the ball back to his keeper, but having failed to get the required contact on the ball Martin latched onto it and slotted it home.

CHANCE! Almost an instant reply from Ipswich, who come close to levelling up through the division's top scorer in Murphy. A cross into the box was met by the in-form striker, but he could only head down into the hands of Grant. Easy stop in the end.

SAVE! Bialkowski is now called into action himself to deny Hughes's effort from long-range. The English youngster is having a good afternoon, dictating play from midfield.

Ipswich have clearly been rattled since conceding, because they have failed to remain composed on the ball. Some sloppy play allowed Ibe to go on another of his trademark bursts down the left, and his cutback was played into the perfect position around the penalty spot area, but there was nobody around to latch onto the ball.

SAVES! Russell once more forced Bialkowski into action at the end of a mazy run, with the stopper getting down low to keep out the bending strike. Up the other end Berra rises highest to nod Hunt's cross down, with Grant on hand to make the save.

IPSWICH TOWN SUB: Noel Hunt has entered the fray in place of Anderson. He made a dream debut last month with a late goal - can he do the same today?

Paul Anderson is chased down by Jeff Hendrick shortly before being replaced:

© Getty Images

IPSWICH TOWN SUB: The Tractor Boys make their third and final change, introducing Kevin Bru from the bench for the sixth game in succession. Bishop is the man to be replaced.

Ipswich are giving away some needless free kicks at the moment, which is not helping them in their attempt to level things up in East Anglia. The game has been rather sloppy for the best part of 15 minutes, which will suit Derby just fine.

A reminder that as things stand Derby will leapfrog Ipswich into second place in the Championship table. This could be a huge afternoon in how the season pans out. Still 14 minutes or so to play at Portman Road, but the Rams are looking resilient at this stage.

There's a little stoppage in play as Hendrick and Stephen Hunt receive some treatment following a clash of heads. Ipswich desperately need to build some momentum in the final 10 minutes if they are to take anything from this game.

DERBY COUNTY SUB: Hendrick is unable to continue following that collision with hunt, leaving the field in place of Craig Bryson. Hunt has changed his bloodied shirt and is okay to continue.

Ipswich are still unable to make any waves in an attacking sense, which will no doubt be frustrating McCarthy from the sidelines. Derby have kept 11 clean sheets this campaign, remember, and they are on course to add to that tally here today.

YELLOW CARD! Hyam is issued with a caution for halting a Derby counter-attack. More importantly in the context of this one, though, time continues to tick down for the Blues.

DERBY COUNTY SUB: McClaren is playing his cards well here, breaking up play by making another change. Simon Dawkins is the man to come on, with Ibe leaving the field. Three minutes to play at Portman Road, plus probably around five minutes or so added time on top of that.

It's been a long, long time since either side created anything in what has been a stale second half. That will suit Derby just fine as they move within one minute - plus added time - of overtaking their opponents in the table.

The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional six minutes at the end of the game. More than enough time for Ipswich to find a leveller.

RED CARD! Well if the incentive wasn't there before, it certainly will be now. Eustace brings down McGoldrick and is shown his second yellow of the afternoon, leaving his side down to 10 men for the remainder.

SAVE! Town supporters are urging their side on, but it is just not working for them at the moment. That was until Grant parried away an effort through a sea of bodies, as Ipswich begin to turn the screw.

Half a chance for Noel Hunt at the back post as a cross just about evades him and goes out of play. Two minutes left and finally Ipswich have built up some momentum!

Smith heads over a corner to the relief of the travelling Derby support. That could be that as far as this one is concerned.

Derby survive the late spell of pressure to take all three points and leapfrog Ipswich in the Championship table. This could be a huge moment in the league season, as McClaren's men inflict just a second home defeat - and the first since August - on the Tractor boys this season.

Well that's all from me for this afternoon, but stick around as we bring you a full match report and all the reaction from Portman Road on this huge day of Championship action.