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

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

Following a goalless first leg at Carrow Road, victory would see Leeds or Norwich reach the Play-Off Final on Sunday 26 May at Wembley Stadium, London.

 

Team News

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Leeds have no fresh injury concerns to report after the goalless first leg at Carrow Road.

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

Norwich could be without Josh Sargent after the US forward suffered an ankle injury during the first leg.

Ashley Barnes (calf) is unlikely to return but Liam Gibbs (muscle) and Onel Hernandez (foot) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Leeds host Norwich at Elland Road on Thursday 16 May at 8pm BST, live on Sky Sports in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Leeds drew 0-0 away to Norwich in their first-ever post-season play-off meeting, which came in the first leg of this semi-final.
• Norwich have won one of their last five league visits to Leeds albeit during regular season (W1, D1, L3).
• There has never been consecutive goalless draws between Leeds and Norwich in all competitions.
• Leeds are winless in two previous play-off semi-final home legs when played as the second leg overall (D1, L1).
• Norwich lost their only previous play-off semi-final away leg when played as the second leg overall (L1), which came in a 1-0 loss at Wolves in May 2002 but won 3-2 on aggregate.

 

Prediction

Having found themselves frustrated in the first leg with just four shots in total in a toothless performance lacking penetrating intensity, Leeds now need to make home advantage count especially given their home record in second legs of previous play-off semi-finals.

Norwich meanwhile were marginally the better team yet were simply wasteful with five of their six shots off target, so there is a lot to do end product wise if want to cause a surprise especially given their recent poor away form at Leeds.

Either way this second leg certainly looks tight if Norwich defend as stubbornly as they did at home, but I do expect Leeds to find that vital gear at home and scrape through to the final.

Prediction: Leeds 1-0 Norwich

Result: Leeds 4-0 Norwich