Leeds vs Norwich: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Date: 16/05/24

Kick-off time: 15:00 EST

Venue: Elland Road

It is the most important game of the season for both sides so far as they meet at Elland Road, with the winner heading to Wembley later this month. The tie is finely poised at 0-0, following their draw at Carrow Road last weekend. This means Leeds have a slight advantage as they look to secure victory in front of their home fans.

However, it has been a dreadful few weeks for Leeds, as they lost ground in the race for automatic promotion, and had to settle for a third place finish and playoff berth. In their final six games of the Championship season, they won just one game and lost four. Norwich were also not in the best form, though they had lost one and drawn three in the same amount of games. They finished sixth, three points clear of seventh place Hull City.

The lack of goals in recent weeks for Leeds could be a cause for concern for Daniel Farke. The stalemate against Norwich in the first leg marked the fourth time they had failed to score a goal in their last six. Defensively, they have conceded 10 in this stretch, highlighting their struggles. If they are to get back to their best in attack, the spark is most likely going to come from Crysencio Summerville, who is their top scorer with 19 goals. The Canaries also have some dangerous attacking options, in particular Josh Sargent and Gabriel Sara, who have combined for 29 goals this season.

Last weekend’s result snapped a four-game losing streak against Leeds for Norwich, a run which included games from both the Championship and Premier League. The hosts did the double over their opponents this season, the first of which being a 3-2 win at Carrow Road. They had to come back from a 2-0 half-time deficit, as a brace from Summerville helped turn it around. In their home fixture, they narrowly won 1-0, with Patrick Bamford scoring the winner after 16 minutes.

Leeds

Leeds were handed a huge boost as Daniel James was able to return to the matchday squad in the first leg. Pascal Struijk was previously ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.

Norwich

Josh Sargent was forced off with a knock in the first leg, so his fitness is one to keep an eye on. Ashley Barnes suffered a calf injury at the back end of the season and has already been ruled out.

Leeds
In their last five games, Leeds have won one, drawn one and lost three. It had been a dreadful stretch for Leeds heading into the Championship play-offs. Their form cost them an automatic promotion place and their winless run continued in the first leg of their semi-final away at Norwich. The game ended goalless, with limited chances for either side.

They ended the season with three losses, the last of which being a 2-1 home defeat to Southampton. Adam Armstrong gave the visitors the lead in the 18th minute, but this was cancelled out almost immediately by Joel Piroe. The winning goal came before half-time, as Will Smallbone found the back of the net. It was a poor response to a crushing 4-0 loss at QPR the week prior, as Leeds could not take advantage of their superior possession and struggled at the back. The hosts went ahead early through Ilias Chair, with goals from Lucas Andersen, Lyndon Dykes and Sam Field adding to the lead.

This followed a 4-3 thriller at Middlesbrough, a result they were on the right side of. They went behind in the seventh minute, but a penalty from Crysencio Summerville quickly got them back on level terms. They turned it around with a strike by Patrick Bamford, but the game was tied once more as Emmanuel Latte Lath scored. Leeds were ahead at the break after Wilfried Gnonto struck, and this lead was extended by Summerville. Latta Lath pulled another back late on, but there was not enough time to mount a comeback. The first game of this run was a 1-0 home loss to Blackburn, in which Sammie Szmodics scored a late winner.

Norwich
In their last five games, Norwich have won one, lost one and drawn three. It has been an underwhelming period for Norwich, but they managed to secure their place in the playoffs. Their last game was the first leg of the semi-final, in which they drew 0-0 against Leeds at Carrow Road. They struggled offensively, managing just one shot on target, but head into the second leg level.

They ended the Championship season with a defeat at Birmingham, as their opponents looked to avoid relegation, but were unsuccessful due to other results. They enjoyed more possession but were unable to produce offensively with just five attempts. A winner from Paik Seung-Ho early in the second half proved to be the difference between the two sides. This followed a 2-2 draw at home to Swansea. The visitors took the lead through Jamie Paterson, but Gabriel Sara netted the equaliser 10 minutes later. The Canaries turned it around on the stroke of half-time thanks to Josh Sargent, but Matt Grimes levelled it once more from the spot.
This made it two draws in a row as they were held 1-1 by Bristol City. They went behind as Haydon Roberts scored in the 55th minute, but this deficit lasted only three minutes, with Borja Sainz scoring to ensure that the points were shared. The first game of this run was their only win, as they narrowly beat Preston 1-0 away from home. It was a fairly even game, with both sides creating chances, but Sara’s strike in the 86th minute secured all three points for Norwich.

After drawing the first leg, Leeds are at a slight advantage to advance to the play-off final, and we expect them to do so with a victory at home. Norwich will not make it easy, but the hosts’ quality will prevail – Leeds 2-0 Norwich.

Leeds vs Norwich will be available to watch on ESPN plus in the USA.