Leeds vs Norwich Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

The second leg of the Championship play-offs commence at Elland Road on Thursday and we have you covered with a Leeds vs Norwich prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview.

It’s a finely poised, interesting battle, but however you want to frame it, not much happened at Carrow Road. 

James Cantrill is hoping for an upset in Leeds with angles touted at 1.75, 2.63 and 23.00 as both sides scrap for a shot at Premier League football. 

• Leeds vs Norwich Tip 1: Norwich Asian Handicap (+1)
• Leeds vs Norwich Tip 2: Marcelino Nunez 2+ Shots
• Leeds vs Norwich Tip 3: Shane Duffy Anytime Goalscorer

Leeds vs Norwich Prediction 1: Canaries can

England, Championship, Thursday, May 16th, 20:00 (UK)

On the run into the play-offs, according to reports, Daniel Farke kept tactical preparation for the first leg of the play-off semi-finals to a minimum, opting to focus on team building and camaraderie instead. 

The thinking, I speculate, was to try and snap Leeds out of their slump. United signed the season off with only two wins in nine, taking nine from the 27 on offer. 

Having watched the first leg at Carrow Road, it looked as though Leeds had spent the week at PGL rather than preparing at Thorp Arch.

Farke’s side lacked cohesion, some of that down to injuries. Georginio Rutter struggled to make an impact as a false nine, Archie Gray was not his usual self operating in the unfamiliar number 10 role and Crycensio Summerville was unusually tame. 

Having said all that, it was an all round tepid affair and this was to the credit of the visitors who were happy to keep things square heading back to Elland Road. 

I am not sure why. 

Recency bias may have the better of me here, but I am not sure Leeds can just turn it back on. I expect another low-margin affair, which is why the 5.50 about an away win appeals, as does the 3.50 about Norwich to reach Wembley. 

However, the bet with the most security is Norwich 1+ on the asian handicap as the only way the bet loses is if Leeds win by a two goal margin. If Leeds win by a one goal margin it is a push and any other result is a winner. 

Leeds 4-0 incoming…

• Leeds vs Norwich Prediction 1: Norwich Asian Handicap (+1) (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.75
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

Leeds vs Norwich Prediction 2: Duff(y)-man OH YEAH

Shane Duffy played in the first leg, so it would be safe to assume, barring any injury, he will start in Leeds, regardless of whatever you think of his of the off-field antics.

He has only netted once this term domestically, which goes a long way to explaining his big price to score, but he does rack up plenty of efforts, hitting five recently against Swansea. 

Duffy averages 0.9 shots per game and has generated an xG of 2.72 which, by my calculations, means he is due one. 

The Canaries rank amongst the top of the pack for xG generated from set pieces, netting 18 times (third).

• Leeds vs Norwich Prediction 2: Shane Duffy Anytime Goalscorer (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 23.00
• Bookmaker: Sky Bet
• Stake: 1/10

Leeds vs Norwich Prediction 3: Red hot Chilian

Marcelino Nunez has fluctuated between holding midfielder and a number 10 this term but it has had little bearing on his offensive output. 

The midfielder had three in the first leg, impressive considering the rest of the side only managed four between them from defensive midfield. He also hit three at St Andrew’s on the final day, operating in behind Josh Sargent. 

In fact, the Chilian has only failed to muster at least one shot in three of his 26 league starts this term. He averages 1.7 a game and had at least two on 14 occasions, hitting highs of four thrice, five twice and seven once. 

The bet here is Nunez two or more shots at 2.63 with 365, the same bet is heavily odds-on with SkyBet. 

• Leeds vs Norwich Prediction 3: Marcelino Nunez 2+ Shots (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.63
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 3/10

Leeds vs Norwich Prediction odds via bet365 as at 19:00, May 14th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Leeds vs Norwich Team News and Possible Lineups: No Bamford

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Joel Piroe spearhead Leeds attack after an abject performance from Rutter as a number nine. This won’t necessarily see the Frenchman dropped, he may just drop deeper with Archie Gray moving back into defensive midfielder in midfield. 

Dan James and Jaidon Anthony are options for Farke to freshen things up on the flanks as well. 

Leeds will be without Pascal Struijk and Patrick Bamford.

Norwich are sweating on the fitness of top goalscorer sh Sargent after he was withdrawn early in the first leg with an injury. 

Leeds possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Byram, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Gray, Gruev; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; Piroe

Norwich possible starting lineup:
Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Gibson, Giannoulis; Nunez, McLean, Sara; Rowe, Van Hooijdonk, Sainz

Safer Gambling

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.