2023-24 Sky Bet Championship: Play-Off Semi-Finals: First Leg – Norwich vs Leeds

Norwich City host Leeds United at Carrow Road in the first leg of their 2023-24 Championship Play-Off Semi-Final. 

Norwich finished the regular season in sixth-placed whilst Leeds ultimately fell short of promotion after they finished third on the final day – following defeat to Southampton.

 

Team News

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Christian Fassnacht is set to return for Norwich after he missed their final-day loss at Birmingham City due to a knock.

Ashley Barnes (calf), Liam Gibbs (muscle) and Onel Hernandez (foot) remain absent.

Leeds could welcome midfielder, Dan James back into contention following his recovery from an abdominal injury.

Patrick Bamford (knee), Darko Gyabi (groin) and Pascal Struijk (groin) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Norwich face Leeds at Carrow Road on Sunday 12 May at 12pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

Stat Attack

• Norwich are facing Leeds for the first time in a post-season play-off.
• Leeds are visiting Norwich for the first time in a post-season play-off, but Daniel Farke’s Whites are unbeaten in six of their last seven trips to his former team (W4, D2, L1).
• Farke’s Whites have scored three goals in two of their last three visits to Norwich – winning 3-0 in August 2018 then 3-2 in October 2023.
• Norwich have conceded in three of their last four home matches (W2, D2).
• Leeds have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last four away matches (W1, D1, L2).

 

Prediction

Despite suffering a narrow defeat at relegated Birmingham on the final day of the regular season, Norwich looked second-best throughout so a huge improvement is needed here especially given their poor home form in this fixture.

Leeds meanwhile can’t hardly boast coming into this game after their defensive dip lately and their play-off record isn’t exactly something to rave about, but they do have enough attacking quality needed to get a win here to put their fate in their own hands at home.

Norwich though won’t make this easy but given the leaky defences within both teams, a draw wouldn’t be a surprise if Leeds fail to win.

Prediction: Norwich 1-2 Leeds

Result: Norwich 0-0 Leeds