Leeds United could see Farke call sentimental and Elland Road play-off first against Norwich

Elland Road is the major factor in this Championship play-off semi-final second leg. Leeds United and Norwich City couldn’t be separated on Sunday, but if home advantage is anything to go by, the Whites hold all the cards tonight.

The atmosphere should crackle with electricity, anticipation and hope. But how will he react to the events of the evening? Anyone with memories of 2019 will remember that the life was sucked out of the stadium by Jack Marriott’s equalizer and almost a sixth sense would explode from there.

On the other hand, this season alone, there has been an atmosphere at home that many fans have said is the best they can remember. The wild explosion of the comeback win against Leicester City will never be forgotten.

READ MORE: Leeds United line-up against Norwich City as Rutter is dropped and youngsters confident of decision at Wembley

The stadium wanted this win to happen and everyone has to hope for a similar night.

Goodbye Elland Road?

Win or lose, tonight will be the last time some of United’s players will appear in white at Elland Road. The game takes precedence and Farke will make decisions to ensure Leeds win the game, but if the result is certain with some time to play, the manager may be tempted to give some players their last appearance in LS11.

Liam Cooper, Sam Byram and Jamie Shackleton will see their current contracts expire this summer. Unless new terms are offered, this will be a final home game with Leeds for them. Although Byram has played enough to suggest Farke may be looking to keep him, it would be a major surprise if this isn’t a last chance for Cooper and Shackleton.

Loan spells for Joe Rodon, Jaidon Anthony and Connor Roberts will also end this summer. Unless new deals can be agreed with their clubs, this will be their farewell tour of Elland Road as Leeds players.

Contracts aside, there are sure to be a few players sold this summer, with or without promotion. In the Premier League, Farke will need to consolidate what he has and let his weaker options go, while another Championship campaign surely means his best players are poached by richer suitors.

Changes from Sunday?

The biggest debate in the lineup seems to be what Farke does with the top of his offense. Georginio Rutter has extended his disappointing run, but does the manager turn to Joel Piroe or Mateo Joseph?

Behind him, Archie Gray was a surprise inclusion in the first leg. Will he keep his place? And what about Connor Roberts or Daniel James? Are they remotely sharp enough to push for the start tonight?

The first play-off semi-final?

You’ve probably been reminded enough in the last week of just how poor United’s record in the play-offs is. They have been to the second and third level lotteries five times and have never been promoted.

Of the five games played at Elland Road, there was one win, in the second leg of the 1987 Second Division final, but no home semi-final wins so far. There was a draw with Preston North End in 2006, a defeat to Carlisle United in 2008, a draw with Millwall in 2009 and a defeat to Derby County in 2019.

Will tonight end that winless streak?

Avoiding a second-half slump?

One way to see Elland Road start to unravel is by handing over possession and territory to the visitors for 20 minutes. While Norwich didn’t make much of it, there was a bizarre phase of the January clash which saw Leeds pull away from the Canaries and allow them virtually unchallenged possession for the third quarter of the match.

The confidence seemed to drain from Leeds and they looked completely unable to press Norwich, tackle them or string a pass when they regained possession. They were solid defensively and didn’t concede any key chances, but it was unsettling to watch.

Leeds must avoid something similar tonight.