HAVING held out for a draw in the first meeting, Leeds United host Norwich City in their Championship playoff semi-final second leg. Elland Road served as a fortress for much of the regular season and with Norwich a bit erratic on their travels, a home win is expected here.
It was a cagey affair in the first leg as Leeds United and Norwich City battled to a 0-0 draw at Carrow Road. Despite the myriad of attacking talent on display, neither goalkeeper was seriously tested with both teams seemingly adopting a safety first approach.
Thursday’s encounter is likely to be a lot less cagey with Leeds United particularly expected to go for it in front of their fans. Elland Road served as a fortress for Daniel Farke’s men for much of the regular season and they have won nine of their last 12 home matches.
For Norwich City, they were a bit erratic on their travels and picked up just three wins from their last 13 Championship away matches. The clean sheet at Carrow Road was a rare occurrence for Danny Wagner’s men, who have had just two shutouts in their last 13 matches on the road.
How the bookies view it: Elland Road counts for Leeds
Leeds United are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 4/7 by bet365. A victory for Norwich City is valued at 9/2 while a draw is set at odds of 3/1.
Recent head to head: Leeds with the upper hand
Prior to last weekend’s 0-0 draw, Leeds United had picked up four straight wins over Norwich City and did the double during the regular season. Leeds have also won the last two meetings and Elland Road.
Players to watch: Joel Piroe the focal point
Leeds United lacked an attacking focal point for much of the first leg with Patrick Bamford out injured and Joel Piroe starting from the bench. Piroe is likely to feature from the start on Thursday and having scored 13 Championship goals this season, could be worth keeping an eye on to score anytime at 7/5 with bet365.
Josh Sargent had a quiet outing in the first leg but remains the biggest attacking threat for Norwich City having scored 16 goals during the regular season. The forward is priced at 7/2 by bet365 to find the net on Thursday.
Probable line-ups
Patrick Bamford remains sidelined but Joel Piroe is likely to feature from the beginning on Thursday having come off the bench in the first leg. Daniel James was also a second half substitute at Carrow Road and could be handed a start on Thursday.
Jonathan Rowe looked a bit rusty in his first start since January following injury problems but is likely to be given another run-out. Norwich City are not expected to make too many changes to the team.
Leeds United: Meslier, Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo, Kamara, Gruev, Summerville, Gnonto, James, Piroe
Norwich City: Gunn, Giannoulis, Gibson, Duffy, Stacey, McLean, Nunez, Sara, Saint, Rowe, Sargent
Anything else catch the eye? Expect more goalmouth action
The first meeting may have ended in a drab stalemate but given the attacking quality on display, Thursday clash is likely to be more open. Both teams could be backed to score at 5/6 by bet365, over 2.5 goals is valued at 4/5 while over 3.5 goals is valued at odds of 2/1.
Leeds United are priced at minimal odds for a straight victory, so a win and over 2.5 goals can be considered at 7/5 with bet365.
This England Championship match between Leeds United and Norwich City will be played on May 16, 2024 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Leeds United vs Norwich City prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
