England Championship Prediction - Leeds United VS Norwich City
England Championship - Leeds United VS Norwich City
Match Time: 17-05-2024 03:00 Friday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Leeds United -DLWLLD
Leeds United will have to cope without the services of defender Pascal Struijk for the remainder of the season, as he continues his recovery from groin surgery. Additionally, striker Patrick Bamford is facing a spell on the sidelines due to a patellar tendon injury, casting doubt on his availability for the rest of the playoff matches.
Despite injury concerns, winger Daniel James made a cameo appearance off the bench in the first leg after overcoming cartilage and abdominal muscle issues. He will be vying for a starting role on the right flank, with Wilfried Gnonto.
Facing his former side, Farke will not be keen to add more regrets to his first season at Elland Road. He is expected to line up his side in a 4-3-3 formation, with Illan Meslier in goal. The French goalkeeper should be protected by the back four of Sam Byram, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, and Junior Firpo.
The trio of Archie Gray, Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara should hold the fort in midfield, with Wilfried Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville providing the width. Georginio Rutter should start as the focal point in attack and will hope to rediscover his best in what is a pivotal game for his team.
Norwich City - DWDDLD
Norwich City are facing concerns over the availability of striker Josh Sargent, who sustained an ankle injury in the first leg and was substituted late in the game. Additionally, Ashley Barnes is nursing a calf problem, potentially leaving a void in the forward line. In their absence, forward Sydney van Hooijdonk could earn his first start for the Canaries since his loan move in January.
The injury list for Norwich extends to Liam Gibbs, who is dealing with a muscle issue, and Onel Hernandez, sidelined with a broken foot. The visitors have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.
Norwich City are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation against Leeds United, with Angus Gunn in goal. He should be protected by the back four of Jack Stacey, Shane Duffy, Ben Gibson and Dimitris Giannoulis.
Marcelino Nunez and Kenny McLean should form the double pivot, leaving Gabriel Sara the freedom to play in the number 10 role. Jonathan Rowe and Borja Sainz should provide the width with Sydney van Hooijdonk leading the line.
Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gray, Gruev, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville
Norwich City possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis; Nunez, McLean, Sara; Rowe, Van Hooijdonk, Sainz
Leeds United VS Norwich City Head to Head
*A win on the night will see Leeds United win three straight home games against Norwich City for the first time since 1972.
*Leeds United will hope to avoid losing their third straight playoff semifinal, all of which saw them play their second leg at home.
*Norwich City have made the playoff final in the Championship on both the previous occasions where they took part in the mini tournament.
*A loss on the night will see Leeds lose three home games in a row in the Championship for the first time since 2017.
Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Norwich City (Leeds United to win 2-1 on aggregate)
Leeds will certainly fancy their chances of success in front of a fired-up Elland Road crowd and have already beaten Norwich on home soil this season, so they enter Thursday's contest as slight favourites. The potential absence of top scorer Sargent would be a huge blow for the Canaries, and although they can rely on other star attackers to step up in the final third, they may just come up short against the Whites this time around.
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