Leeds vs Norwich: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

A Championship play-off barnstorming encounter is in store at Elland Road on Thursday night as Leeds United take on Norwich City with the tie in the balance.

There were two legs on Sunday as Southampton and West Brom played out a stalemate in the Midlands after Leeds and Norwich did the same at Carrow Road.

Leeds would undoubtedly have left East Anglia the happier of the two sides, although expect a tense evening in the second leg with so much at stake. Daniel Farke’s side battled Leicester and Ipswich Town for an automatic promotion place and at one point looked as though they might win the title.

However, Leicester’s recovery and Leeds’ struggles throughout saw them sink to third place and settle for a play-off spot.

Norwich are in similarly poor form against their opponents, winning just two of their last eight, and failure to win at Carrow Road on Sunday could be crucial to deciding the winner of this tie, with David’s side Wagner hasn’t lost at home since. November. Their away form has been much more erratic and Elland Road will be bustling on Thursday night.

There it is 90 minutes game preview.

Record between Leeds and Norwich (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

Pascal Struijk will miss the rest of the season after undergoing groin surgery, while Patrick Bamford has a patellar tendon problem and will be a doubt for the final if Leeds progress on Thursday night.

Former Manchester United full-back Daniel James was back in action on Sunday and the Welshman will battle it out with Willy Gnonto for a start on the right for Leeds in the second leg.

Leeds vs Norwich predicted line-up (4-3-3): Tradesman; Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gray, Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville.

Josh Sargent was forced off in the closing stages of the first leg and is a doubt for the Yorkshire return. Wagner is also likely to be unable to call on a potential replacement for American Ashley Barnes, who is struggling with a calf injury.

Liam Gibbs and Onel Hernandez remain on the sidelines for the visitors.

Norwich predicted line-up against Leeds (4-3-3): Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis; Nunez, McLean, Sara; Rowe, Van Hooijdonk, Sainz

The attacking exuberance usually associated with these two teams failed to show at Carrow Road and in fact neither side fired on all cylinders along the way.

That, however, could change on Thursday night, with both teams having to rise to the occasion. This is a hugely important match and you have to back the home team given the circumstances.

Leeds’ draw in the first leg was a great result and although they have proved vulnerable at Elland Road of late, the home faithful will be expecting to roar the right side of their result on Thursday.

Prediction: Leeds 3-1 Norwich

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