Sky Sports pundit points to major injury worry that could decide Leeds United v Norwich City this week
Leeds United welcome Norwich City to Elland Road this Thursday for the second leg of the playoff semi-final, with the score finely poised at 0-0.
This Sunday marked the start of the Championship playoffs, as Leeds, who were placed sixth in the division, travelled to East Anglia to play Norwich City at Carrow Road.
With very little goalmouth action and a 0-0 stalemate at the end of the game, neither team entered the match with great form, and it showed.
Leeds v Norwich preview: Form guide
Leeds had been really strong at home this season, boasting a long unbeaten streak, but that all came crashing down with back-to-back losses against Southampton and Blackburn in the last two games.
It will be a contest between the four Championship teams to see who can end their current losing streak and take the top spot at Wembley. David Wagner’s team isn’t at their best when they’re travelling.
| Leeds’ home form | Norwich away form | |
|---|---|---|
| Played | 23 | 23 |
| Wins | 16 | 6 |
| Draws | 5 | 6 |
| Losses | 2 | 11 |
| Goals scored | 45 | 36 |
| Goals against | 16 | 42 |
| League rank | 2nd | 19th |
Who will win the playoffs?
Chris Sutton predicts “nervy” Elland Road atmosphere
Looking ahead to this second game, Chris Sutton, a Sky Sports pundit and former Norwich striker, thinks the Canaries have a decent draw.
While Sutton thinks the stadium environment may have a major influence, he also thinks Josh Sargent’s injury—which forced him off the field during Sunday’s second half—may be a major factor.
When he appeared on BBC 606, he stated:
“Do you know what I don’t think that’s the worst result. Elland Road, the brilliant stadium that it is, with what is at stake, Norwich’s away form isn’t great, Josh Sargeant went off injured and that is a worry.
“But imagine if Leeds fans get a little bit nervy? I’ve got a feeling for The Canaries.”
After the game, Wagner disclosed that Sargent had hurt his ankle “again,” making him questionable for the second leg given Ashley Barnes had already missed it.
Elland Road could help decide playoff clash either way
The Elland Road crowd is interesting because, when it bounces, it doesn’t matter who club is playing; even the best Premier League sides have shown that they are being drawn into games they can’t win.
It goes the opposite way, though, as Sutton suggests, with a tense domestic audience frequently anticipating the worst, and the worst generally happens.
Norwich will be hoping for that, since the Blackburn loss served as a perfect illustration of how things appeared to be going worse for us as the game went on.
