by Mark Matthews

Mathie scored 47 goals for Ipswich between 1995 and 1998

The legend goes that if you score for Ipswich against Norwich you gain legendary status in Suffolk.

Therefore Alex Mathie has a special place in the affections of Town fans.

The Scottish striker's hat-trick against the Canaries in 1998 is still talked about when each East Anglian derby comes around.

On Sunday Mathie will be in the Carrow Road commentary box with BBC Radio Suffolk to see his first derby since leaving Portman Road 10 years ago.

The former Celtic junior, who also played for Newcastle, Dundee United and Preston, has a great affection for the battle over bragging rights between Norfolk and Suffolk.

I think Ipswich are the ones to beat, Norwich are in a bit of a sticky spell but it's a big game for both clubs Alex Mathie

"You can feel there is a lot of pressure from the fans and on the players because they want to do so well against each other."

Mathie still has fond memories of the 42-minute hat-trick against Norwich in February 1998, the highlight of his time with Ipswich.

"I scored after just 90 seconds which settles everybody down," he recalls. "We'd worked on that move in training and it just got better and better from there.

"Unfortunately I pulled my calf after seven or eight minutes but the adrenalin kept me going until half-time."

Despite some fans being apprehensive about the trip to Norfolk, Mathie is tipping Ipswich to take all three points at Carrow Road.

"I think Ipswich are the ones to beat, Norwich are in a bit of a sticky spell but it's a big game for both clubs."

East Anglian derby facts Sunday's match will be the 82nd league meeting between the sides Ipswich are unbeaten in their last three trips to Carrow Road John Wark is Ipswich's all-time top scorer against Norwich with 9 goals

Norwich have now slumped to 21st in the table after a poor November which saw them pick up just four points out of a possible 18.

Since their stunning 5-2 win over Championship leaders Wolves on 21 October and the 2-1 home win over Doncaster Rovers that followed on the Saturday, they have won just once in seven games.

And they have picked up just one point at home in that time, their only win having been on the road at the City Ground against Nottingham Forest.

Recent East Anglian derby form does not favour the Canaries either.

Ipswich are unbeaten in their two sides' last five meetings, having won three of them.

606: DEBATE As long as Jim doesn't try to defend a one nil lead with 20 minutes to go we should be ok bigalreigned

And the Canaries have not beaten Ipswich at Carrow Road since March 2004 when the game was won by another East Anglian derby hero of Scottish descent.

Two goals from inspirational centre-half Malky Mackay in 10 early second-half minutes triggered Norwich's 3-1 win.

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