Leeds vs Norwich

A place in the Championship playoff final is up for grabs as Leeds United host Norwich City at Elland Road for the second leg of their semi-final clash on Thursday night.

The tie is finely balanced after a goalless draw in the first leg at Carrow Road last weekend. Expectations were high for an exciting match between two attack-minded teams, but both sides failed to find the cutting edge needed to secure a lead, managing only 13 shots combined and an xG of 0.76—among the lowest in the Championship this season.

Leeds manager Daniel Farke might be the more content of the two, considering his team faced a Norwich side that hasn't lost at home since November 5. However, Farke has reason for concern as his team has only one win in their last seven matches and has failed to score in four of those, including two of their last three home games.

Leeds have reason for optimism, having won their last two home encounters with Norwich, including a 1-0 victory in January. They aim to reach an EFL playoff final for the fourth time, the last being the League One final in 2007-08. Meanwhile, Norwich's form has also been shaky, with only two wins in their last eight matches since April and no victories in their last four games. Their away form has been similarly inconsistent, with just four wins in their last 10 outings.

A draw in the first leg was seen as a disappointment by some Norwich fans, but manager David Wagner emphasized that the tie remains open. Norwich's recent head-to-head record with Leeds is poor, with only two wins in their last 12 meetings. However, one of those victories was a 3-1 win at Elland Road in February 2019 under the current Leeds boss Farke.

Norwich aims to reach the EFL playoff final for the third time, having previously done so in 2002 and 2015. A win on Thursday would make them the sixth team to reach the final with a perfect record in at least three playoff semi-finals. Leeds will be without defender Pascal Struijk, who is out for the season after groin surgery, and striker Patrick Bamford, who is doubtful due to a patellar tendon injury. Daniel James, who overcame injuries to play as a substitute in the first leg, may start on the right flank.

Farke may stick with the midfield trio of Archie Gray, Glen Kamara, and Ilia Gruev, but could bring in Joel Piroe to strengthen the attack alongside Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville.

Norwich faces fitness concerns with striker Joshua Sargent, who injured his ankle in the first leg, and Ashley Barnes, who missed the first leg with a calf problem. If both are unavailable, Sydney van Hooijdonk could make his first start since joining on loan in January. Liam Gibbs and Onel Hernandez remain out, but Jon Rowe, who started the first leg, is expected to continue on the right flank, supported by Borja Sainz in attack.

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, Sain