Police have urged Ipswich and Norwich fans to keep a lid on their emotions this weekend.

Ipswich Star: Ipswich Town v Norwich City FC. Sky Bet Championship. Paul Anderson scores for Town taking them to 1-1 in the first half.Ipswich Town v Norwich City FC. Sky Bet Championship. Paul Anderson scores for Town taking them to 1-1 in the first half. (Image: Archant)

Around 2,000 Town fans are expected at Carrow Road for the second leg of the Championship play-off semi-final on Saturday (kick-off 12.15pm).

The first leg at Portman Road last Saturday ended in a 1-1 draw with a Wembley play-off final at stake.

Norfolk Police chief superintendent Nick Davison said: “By the end of this match we will know who is going to Wembley and continues in their quest for promotion to the Premier League.

“As the police commander, I expect elation and dismay in equal measures. Please don’t let these emotions spill over.

“Clearly the stakes are high, but this is a great local derby event for the Championship play-offs and we can no doubt expect passionate and healthy rivalry between two family friendly clubs and supporters.

“The police operation has been developed to ensure everyone has a great day out and the vast majority of fans will enjoy the event in the right spirit.

“Our focus will be on those whose behaviour spoils everyone else’s enjoyment and to manage areas where we have seen issues before at other matches as fans travel to and from the stadium.”

A policing operation involving officers from Norfolk and Suffolk has been designed with the aim of keeping people safe and to assist travelling fans from the train station and coach park to the stadium.

Officers will be signposting Ipswich supporters arriving by train and coach to the stadium via Lower Clarence Road, Clarence Road and Carrow Road, as they did when the teams last met in the city on Sunday 1 March.

Prior to the match it is possible, depending on crowd numbers, that short closures will be put in place on these roads; allowing fans to walk safely to the stadium. We would request that fans keep to the pavement in the interests of safety. Normal road closures will also be in place around Carrow Road before and after the match.

Police have been working closely with colleagues in Suffolk, British Transport Police and the football clubs to ensure the smooth running of the operation on the day.

For up-to-date information and road closure advice on match day, follow @NorfolkPolice.