Leeds United welcome Norwich City to Elland Road in a huge clash in the race for Premier League survival.
Victory would see Leeds remain 16th in the table but move five points clear of the relegation zone, whereas Norwich could climb off the foot of the table with a win if Watford lose elsewhere.
Team News
Junior Firpo is ruled out for Leeds after suffering a knee injury in Thursday’s 3-0 loss against Aston Villa.
Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips, Tyler Roberts (all hamstring) and Leo Fuhr (knee) remains absent.
Norwich will welcome Billy Gilmour after he was ineligible to play against Chelsea in Thursday’s defeat, as per the terms of his loan deal.
Sam Byram (fatigue) is a doubt but Andrew Omobamidele (back) and Adam Idah (knee) remain ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Leeds have claimed seven points from seven previous Premier League meetings against Norwich (W2, D1, L4).
- Norwich have claimed four points from three previous Premier League visits to Elland Road (W1, D1, L1).
- Leeds have won each of their last two Premier League clashes against Norwich by 2-1 results.
- Jesse Marsch has lost his five league games as a manager, having seen RB Leipzig lose his final three matches in charge of the Bundesliga club as well as his first two games managing Leeds.
- Six of Teemu Pukki’s eight league goals for Norwich this season were scored via his right foot.
Prediction
Having unluckily lost their first match under Marsch at Leicester last weekend, Leeds were surprisingly disappointing in Thursday’s loss to Aston Villa because their defending was poor whilst just one of four shots converted onto target is worrying when they need goals.
Norwich meanwhile must win here or they will be nine points behind Leeds and increasingly closer towards relegation, yet they can draw on the positives of their loss to Chelsea because they did at least try and make a game of it despite conceding twice in both halves.
In fact the phrase, ‘improvement’ sums up what is required of both teams here and based on quality, Leeds should edge this but they are a major concern across the pitch whereas Norwich just need to stop their awful defending and just play better football across the pitch.
Although a goalless draw therefore might seem my likely guess, I can see at least one goal here and particularly from the away team if they buck their ideas up on the pitch.
Prediction: Leeds 0-1 Norwich
Result: Leeds 2-1 Norwich
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