Leeds United take on Norwich City at Elland Road on Thursday night for the second leg of their Championship playoff semi-final, with a place in the final at stake.
The tie remains finely balanced after a goalless draw in the first leg at Carrow Road last weekend.
Before the first play-off leg at Carrow Road on Sunday, Leeds United were on a four-game winning streak against Norwich City in all competitions, including a Premier League double in 2021-22.
The Whites also beat Norwich in their two Championship meetings earlier in the campaign, with an impressive 3-2 comeback victory at Carrow Road in October, followed by a 1-0 win at Elland Road in January.
Playoff first legs are often tight affairs, and expectations were high for an exciting contest between the attack-minded Leeds United and Norwich City at Carrow Road last Sunday. However, both teams neutralized each other, resulting in a lackluster draw. The match had only 13 shots and an xG of 0.76, among the lowest in the Championship this season.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke is likely to leave Norfolk more satisfied, given that his team has faced a Norwich side unbeaten at home since November 5. Despite this, the former Norwich City manager must address his current team's recent poor form.
Leeds head into Thursday's match having won just one of their last seven games and failing to score in four of them, including two of their last three at Elland Road. Nevertheless, Leeds have won their last two home meetings with Norwich, including a 1-0 victory in January, providing some optimism as they aim for their first EFL playoff final since 2007-08.
Due to a groin surgery, defender Pascal Struijk will be out for the remainder of the season, and striker Patrick Bamford's potential availability for the playoff final is uncertain due to a patellar tendon injury. Daniel James, who overcame injuries to feature as a substitute in the first leg, may start on the right flank ahead of Wilfried Gnonto.
Farke might stick with the same midfield trio of Archie Gray, Glen Kamara, and Ilia Gruev, but could consider starting Joel Piroe in attack alongside Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville to strengthen the frontline.
Norwich City are also experiencing a rough patch, with only two wins in their last eight matches since early April and no victories in their last four. Their away form has been inconsistent, winning just four of their last ten fixtures on the road.
The first-leg draw with Leeds at home left some Canaries fans disappointed, but manager David Wagner emphasized that they haven't "automatically handed an advantage" to Leeds, who will host the second leg at Elland Road.
Norwich's recent head-to-head record against Leeds is less than stellar, with only two wins in their last 12 encounters across all competitions. However, their last victory at Elland Road came in February 2019, when current Leeds boss Daniel Farke led the Canaries to a 3-1 win on their way to the Championship title.
This marks Norwich's third appearance in an EFL playoff, and they aim to reach the final at Wembley Stadium for the third time, having previously done so in 2002 and 2015. A win on Thursday would make Norwich only the sixth team to reach the final with a perfect record in at least three playoff semi-finals.
Joshua Sargent, a USMNT striker with 16 goals in 27 Championship matches, forced off late in the first leg due to an ankle injury, leaving Norwich anxiously awaiting his fitness. Ashley Barnes is also doubtful after missing Sunday's match with a calf issue. If both are unavailable, Sydney van Hooijdonk could make his first start for the Canaries since joining on loan in January.
Onel Hernandez (broken foot) and Liam Gibbs (muscle) are still out, but Jon Rowe, who has scored 12 goals this season, started the first leg and should continue to play on the right flank with Borja Sainz supporting him in attack.
Leeds United: Illan Meslier, Junior Firpo, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, Sam Byram, Archie Gray, Ilia Gruev, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter, Daniel James, and Joel Piroe. (4-2-3-1)
Norwich City: Angus Gunn, Jack Stacey, Shane Duffy, Ben Gibson, Sam McCallum, Marcelino Nunez, Kenny McLean, Jonathan Rowe, Gabriel Sara, Borja Sainz, and Josh Sargent. (4-2-3-1)
The Whites, buoyed by their passionate home crowd, will feel confident, especially since they have already defeated Norwich at home this season. As a result, they enter Thursday's showdown as slight favorites (not when it comes to betting odds, obviously).
The potential absence of top scorer Sargent could be a significant setback for the Canaries. While they have other talented attackers who can step up, they might struggle to overcome Leeds United this time around.
