Norwich City will hope that home advantage will see them get one over Leeds United at Carrow Road on Tuesday.
On Tuesday evening, two teams in strong form will clash in the EFL Championship as Norwich City host Leeds United at Carrow Road. Norwich currently sit ninth in the Championship table with 11 points from their opening seven matches, while Leeds are in fifth place, three points ahead of their opponents.
Norwich City have been in impressive form, winning three of their last four matches in the EFL Championship. Their most recent victory came against Derby County, where they secured a thrilling 3-2 win, with Borja Sainz playing a starring role by scoring a hat-trick.
This strong showing has boosted the Canaries’ confidence as they aim for a playoff spot, especially after finishing sixth in the Championship last season and losing to Leeds in the semi-finals of the playoffs. However, Norwich have struggled historically against Leeds, having not beaten them since February 2019, losing five of their last six encounters, including that 4-0 playoff defeat.
Leeds United enter this match with a record of four wins, two draws, and one defeat from their seven league matches this season, accumulating 14 points. They are just two points behind league leaders West Bromwich Albion and are expected to contend for promotion.
The Whites come into this fixture following consecutive victories over Cardiff City and Coventry City, and they have been solid defensively, keeping clean sheets in five of their last six matches. Leeds boast the joint second-best defensive record in the Championship, with only four goals conceded, three of which came in their opening match against Portsmouth.
As both teams look to solidify their standings in the league, this match-up presents a significant opportunity for Norwich to avenge past defeats and for Leeds to maintain their promotion push. With the stakes high, fans can expect an intense battle on the pitch at Carrow Road. The Hard Tackle explores the possible lineups and strategies for this much-awaited match.
Team News & Tactics
Norwich City
Norwich City will be without five players for their upcoming match against Leeds United. The absentees include Onel Hernandez, Liam Gibbs, Christian Fassnacht, Jacob Sorensen, and Ashley Barnes, all of whom are on the sidelines. Despite these setbacks, the Canaries have received a significant boost from Borja Sainz, who showcased his scoring prowess with a hat-trick against Derby County in their last outing.
Head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup has reported no new fitness concerns following the match against Derby, allowing him the opportunity to potentially name an unchanged starting lineup. Josh Sargent, who has found the net twice in the Championship this season, is set to lead the line for Norwich as they look to capitalise on their attacking momentum.
In the potential 4-2-3-1 formation, Angus Gunn will start in goal, supported by a defensive line consisting of Kellen Fisher at right-back, Shane Duffy and Jose Cordoba as the central defenders, and Callum Doyle occupying the left back position. In midfield, Marcelino Nunez and Kenny McLean will provide stability, while the attacking trio of Ante Crnac, Oscar Schwartau, and Borja Sainz will support Josh Sargent, the main striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Gunn; Fisher, Duffy, Cordoba, Doyle; Nunez, McLean; Crnac, Schwartau, Sainz; Sargent
Leeds United
Leeds United will head into their match against Norwich City without several key players. Daniel James, Maximilian Wober, and Manor Solomon are all unavailable, while Ethan Ampadu will also miss out after sustaining a knee injury against Coventry City. The severity of Ampadu’s injury is still unclear, but the Whites are optimistic that he will return to action sooner rather than later.
In Ampadu’s absence, Ao Tanaka is expected to step into the starting lineup. The 26-year-old midfielder replaced Ampadu during the latter stages of Saturday’s match at Elland Road and is poised to continue in that role.
In the potential 4-2-3-1 system, Illan Meslier is set to start in goal, with a defensive line consisting of Jayden Bogle at right-back, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk as the central defenders, and Junior Firpo positioned at left-back. The midfield duo will feature Ao Tanaka alongside Ilia Gruev, while the attacking trio of Wilfried Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson, and Largie Ramazani will support Mateo Joseph, who is expected to lead the line as the main striker.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Tanaka, Gruev; Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Joseph
Key Stats
- Norwich City has lost each of their last four league matches against Leeds United. They will aim to avoid recording five consecutive defeats to the Yorkshire club, a first in their history.
- Leeds United has won each of their last three away league games against Norwich City, scoring two or more goals in each of those visits to Carrow Road.
- Norwich City is unbeaten in their last 18 home league games, with a record of 12 wins and six draws. They have not experienced a longer unbeaten home run since November 1972.
- Leeds United is the only side yet to concede an away goal in the Championship this season. They are only the second-tier teams in Football League history to keep a clean sheet in their first four away matches of a campaign.
Player to Watch
Mateo Joseph
Joseph is the player to watch in the upcoming match between Norwich City and Leeds United. The young forward has been making waves in recent games, showcasing his playmaking abilities and keen sense of positioning. He has registered three assists in his last two away league matches, highlighting his capability to contribute significantly to the team’s attacking play.
The 20-year-old’s vision and skill in tight spaces make him a valuable asset for Leeds, especially in a match where they’ll be looking to break down a solid Norwich defence. His ability to find teammates in goal-scoring positions can be crucial in helping Leeds secure vital points in their quest for promotion. As Leeds United aims to continue their strong form, Joseph’s performance could very well be the difference-maker in this encounter.
Prediction
Norwich City 1-1 Leeds United
In a tightly contested Championship clash, both Norwich City and Leeds United are likely to share the points in a 1-1 draw. Norwich City, with their recent resurgence in form, will aim to capitalize on home advantage at Carrow Road.
However, Leeds, boasting a solid defensive record and a talented attacking lineup, will pose a significant challenge. Both teams have the potential to score, but given Norwich’s struggles against Leeds in recent encounters and the Whites’ current form, a balanced draw seems a fair outcome.