Leeds United’s season is on the line this evening as they host Norwich City in the second leg of Championship play-off semi-finals.
After Sunday’s cagey 0-0 draw at Carrow Road, it is now make or break for both sides tonight as the winner would move to within 90 minutes of the Premier League.
On the other hand, defeat would consign one club to another season of Championship football and effectively make all the hard work of the last 10 months redundant.
Daniel Farke sprung a couple of tactical surprises in the first leg at the weekend as he brought Archie Gray into a three man midfield, with Georginio Rutter leading the line for the first time since December.
With home advantage on Leeds’ side, it would not be a surprise if Farke reverted back to something closer to what he has used all season.
Gary Lineker is among the pundits backing Leeds to reach the final and here, we have taken a look at three key battles which could prove decisive at Elland Road.
Junior Firpo vs Jonathan Rowe
Junior Firpo has so far got the better of Norwich’s flying right-winger Jonathan Rowe on both occasions he has faced him, including on Sunday.
Having said that, Rowe – who is relishing the Elland Road atmosphere – was making his first start since the regular season game back at Leeds in January after a hamstring injury, and was understandably a little rusty.
However, Firpo’s intent to take Leeds back to the Premier League is clear for all to see and a similar defensive performance to Sunday, would be huge.
He won seven of his nine duels, completed three tackles and wasn’t dribbled past once. If he can do that again, and take Rowe back the other way with his ability to get forward, he can be key tonight.
Ilia Gruev vs Gabriel Sara
Gabriel Sara was another of Norwich’s attacking players who was quiet in the first leg. However, he certainly remains someone Leeds need to be wary of.
Sara was one of just three players who registered double figures for goals and assists in the regular Championship season, and has the quality to hurt any side in this division.
Clearly Leeds’ extra midfield presence helped nullify his threat on Sunday but if Farke is to go more attacking, there would be more pressure on Ilia Gruev to do a job on him.
Gruev hasn’t been at his best recently but when on top form, he was like a magnet to sniffing out danger. If he can stop Sara from getting the ball in key areas, then that would stop a huge threat.
- READ MORE: Kevin Blackwell now predicts whether Leeds United will win play-offs ahead of Norwich semi-final
Crysencio Summerville vs Jack Stacey
Much of this article has been spent talking about how Leeds can stop Norwich’s attacking players, but with the onus on the Whites to come out and attack, it is the away side who could be under the most pressure.
Crysencio Summerville really struggled to get into the game in the first leg and his body language is something that left Jon Newsome worried.
Norwich right-back Jack Stacey spent a lot of Sunday running off the back of Summerville and getting forward, but it needs to be the other way around tonight.
If Leeds can get Summerville isolated against Stacey, they should get some joy. Beating Stacey would also allow him to have a run at a slow and ageing Shane Duffy at right centre-back.
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