OWEN Coyle is aiming to end 2007 on a high and begin the New Year with a play-off push.

Burnley go into a typically hectic festive period in ninth place, three points behind today's opponent's Ipwich Town in sixth.

And the Clarets boss believes much of this season's fate will be decided in the next four fixtures, when home games against Sheffield Wednesday and Bristol City, and a New Year's Day derby at Blackpool, follow hot on the heels of this afternoon's encounter with a side who boast the best home record in the Championship.

Although Burnley have one of the worst home records in the division this term, it is countered by an impressive away run, which has kept the Clarets on the cusp of the play-off positions.

And Coyle is confident that becoming the first team to take three points at Portman Road this season could be the catalyst for an upturn in home form.

"I don't want to get too caught up in that, but I have no doubts that when the Sheffield Wednesday game comes round (on Boxing Day) we'll be ready," said the 41-year-old, who is desperate to recover from back-to-back home defeats to QPR and Preston.

"They're the same as the Watford game, Charlton and Wolves - they're gone. That's all behind us, we just have to concentrate on what's in front of us and we'll do that.

"You'd have looked at the last few away fixtures, Leicester, Watford, Charlton, Wolves and Ipswich and asked 'what are we going to take from that?' "We have an opportunity to go and take 15 points with the trip today, and that's the way we approach it; make sure we're positive in everything we do and we can create opportunities in the game."

Coyle added: "I look to enter every period with a win, but come January, and before FA Cup time, you want to be in as high a position in the league as possible. Results will determine that, but it's up to everbody when they come in to play their part and make sure they're ready when they get the opportunity to get that jersey and make sure they're not giving it up without a real fight.

"When the Arsenal game comes about it's a release from the league; it's a completely different scenario.

"But before that we've four, I think, big games that are all winnable, and we want to take as many points from them as possible."