Leeds United will hope to strengthen their grip on top spot when they take on Norwich City on Wednesday evening.
The Championship’s top attacking sides clash at Elland Road on Wednesday night as league leaders Leeds United host Norwich City. The Whites, firm favourites for promotion, are riding a wave of form under Daniel Farke, while the Canaries aim to reignite their playoff ambitions after recent setbacks.
Leeds United come into this game on the back of a resounding 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in a Yorkshire derby. Goals from summer signings Ao Tanaka, Manor Solomon, and Largie Ramazani ensured a dominant display. The win extended Leeds’s unbeaten streak in Yorkshire derbies to 18 matches and marked their tenth consecutive unbeaten game in all competitions.
Currently leading the Championship table, Leeds hold a one-point advantage over second-placed Sheffield United and sit three points clear of Burnley. Elland Road has been a fortress for Farke’s side, with the Whites collecting 35 points from 14 home matches and remaining unbeaten in their last 12 fixtures on home soil.
Leeds’s impressive run has been fueled by their prolific attack, which has netted a league-leading 51 goals. Despite parting ways with key attackers like Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville last summer, Farke has seamlessly integrated new arrivals, with Tanaka, Solomon, and Ramazani proving instrumental. Even with their firepower, Leeds recently loaned out Joe Gelhardt to Hull City, underlining their depth in attack.
Meanwhile, Norwich City face a daunting challenge at Elland Road, a venue where they suffered a 4-0 humiliation in last season’s playoff semi-final second leg. Recent form has not been kind to Johannes Hoff Thorup’s side, with the Canaries exiting the FA Cup to Brighton before losing 2-0 to Sheffield United last weekend. Sitting in 11th place, Norwich are five points adrift of the playoff spots and in need of a strong response to keep their promotion hopes alive.
The Canaries’ strength lies in their attack, second only to Leeds in the league, with 43 goals scored. Spanish forward Borja Sainz has been the standout performer, currently leading the Championship Golden Boot race. However, their away form has been a concern, with just 13 points from 14 games on the road this season. To revive their playoff push, Norwich must improve their results away from Carrow Road, starting with this challenging midweek fixture.
Both teams boast firepower, but Leeds’s dominance at Elland Road and Norwich’s recent struggles on the road suggest the Whites are favourites to secure another vital three points in their promotion push. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
Leeds United will have to contend with the absence of their first-choice centre-back Pascal Struijk, who is sidelined for a few weeks with a hamstring injury. To compensate, Ethan Ampadu has stepped in to partner Joe Rodon at the heart of the defence. This pairing, often referred to as the “Welsh Wall,” was effective in their previous outing and will be tasked with maintaining Leeds’ impressive defensive record at Elland Road.
Behind them, Illan Meslier will continue as the reliable figure between the posts, while Jayden Bogle and Sam Byram are set to occupy the full-back positions on the right and left flanks, respectively.
In midfield, Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell will operate as the double pivot, providing both defensive cover and distribution from deep. Their presence in the middle of the park will be crucial in controlling the tempo of the game and supplying the attacking players ahead of them.
The attacking trio of Daniel James, Largie Ramazani, and Manor Solomon will look to exploit Norwich’s vulnerabilities at the back. Ramazani, playing centrally in an advanced role, will serve as the creative fulcrum, while James and Solomon will use their pace and directness on the flanks to create chances.
Up front, Joel Piroe will lead the line in the absence of Patrick Bamford, who remains out with a hamstring problem. Piroe, who has already scored ten goals this season, will aim to continue his fine form and capitalise on the support provided by the attacking midfield trio. With this setup, Leeds will hope to extend their unbeaten run and further solidify their position at the top of the Championship table.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Byram; Tanaka, Rothwell; James, Ramazani, Solomon; Piroe
Norwich City
Norwich City are feeling the absence of their talismanic forward Borja Sainz, who has already netted 15 goals this season. Sainz remains sidelined after receiving a six-match ban in January for an unsavoury incident earlier in the campaign, leaving a significant gap in their at
tacking lineup. In response to their offensive shortfall, the Canaries have turned to the transfer market, securing the services of promising Czech forward Matej Jurasek from Slavia Prague to bolster their options up front.
Angus Gunn will retain his spot as the first-choice goalkeeper, providing reliability between the sticks. In front of him, Jack Stacey and Lucien Mahovo will occupy the full-back positions on the right and left, respectively, while Shane Duffy and Callum Doyle are expected to form the central defensive pairing, tasked with neutralizing Leeds’s potent attack.
The midfield trio will consist of Liam Gibbs, Kenny McLean, and Emiliano Marcondes, combining defensive solidity with creative flair. McLean, serving as the more experienced figure in the middle, will aim to orchestrate play and link up with the attack, while Gibbs and Marcondes provide energy and support in both defence and offense.
In attack, Onel Hernandez and Lewis Dobbin will operate as the wide forwards, tasked with stretching Leeds’ defence and creating opportunities from the flanks. Up front, Josh Sargent will lead the line, looking to capitalise on any chances created by his teammates and put Leeds’s defence under pressure.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Gunn; Stacey, Duffy, Doyle, Mahovo; Fisher, McLean, Marcondes; Hernandez, Sargent, Dobbin
Key Stats
- Leeds United are unbeaten in their last five league games against Norwich City (W4 D1). The Whites previously enjoyed a longer undefeated streak against Norwich, spanning seven games between September 1963 and August 1975.
- Norwich City have won just two of their last 11 away league games against Leeds United (D3 L6) and will aim to avoid losing three consecutive matches at Elland Road for the first time since December 1973.
- Since returning to the Championship in 2023-24, Leeds have not lost any of their midweek league games at Elland Road (W7 D2). However, they drew their most recent midweek game 1-1 with Blackburn on New Year’s Day.
- Norwich City are unbeaten in their last four midweek league games, winning three and drawing one.
- In English league football, Dan James has provided four assists in his last six games against Norwich City. Notably, two of those assists came in matches at Elland Road for Leeds.
Player to Watch
Joel Piroe
Piroe has been the focal point of Leeds United’s attack this season, and his influence cannot be overstated. With ten league goals to his name, he has consistently delivered in front of goal, showcasing his clinical finishing ability and tactical intelligence. The Dutch striker has been pivotal in Leeds’s push for promotion, offering a reliable outlet to convert chances into goals.
What makes Piroe a standout performer is his versatility as a forward. While primarily operating as a lone striker, he often drops deep to link up with midfielders, enabling Leeds to maintain fluidity in their attacking transitions. His ability to take on defenders and deliver decisive finishes inside the box has made him a nightmare for opposition defences.
Piroe’s movement and positioning will be key against Norwich City, a side that has struggled defensively this season. With Norwich conceding 40 goals in their campaign so far, Piroe’s knack for exploiting defensive lapses will be crucial. Leeds’ creative midfielders, such as Ao Tanaka and Largie Ramazani, will look to feed him opportunities to capitalise on Norwich’s vulnerabilities.
Additionally, Piroe’s recent form has been impressive, and he will aim to build on his tally against a Norwich defence that has often faltered on the road. If Leeds are to maintain their position at the top of the Championship, Piroe’s contributions will undoubtedly play a decisive role in their success
Prediction
Leeds United 3-1 Norwich City
Leeds United’s stellar form at Elland Road, combined with their attacking prowess, gives them the edge in this match-up. Norwich City possess the firepower to trouble the hosts, particularly through Borja Sainz, but their defensive frailties and poor away record make this a tall order. Expect Leeds to control the game and secure a comfortable win, with goals from Joel Piroe and Manor Solomon likely to highlight their superiority.
