On 22nd January, Leeds United will host Norwich City at Elland Road in a Championship clash involving two of the bigger names in the league. Leeds are aiming to solidify their position at the top of the table, while Norwich seeks to close the gap to the playoff spots.
Form Guide and Team Performance
Leeds United extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches across all competitions with a commanding 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday. This win has propelled them to the summit of the Championship, one point ahead of Sheffield United. Their home form has been formidable, collecting 35 points from 14 matches at Elland Road. Leeds’ formidable attack, who have scored 51 goals in 27 games, will pose a significant threat to an average Norwich defense.
Norwich City, conversely, have faced challenges recently, suffering back-to-back defeats, including a 2-0 loss to Sheffield United. These setbacks have left them in 11th place, five points adrift of the playoff positions. Their away form has been a concern, with only 13 points garnered from 14 away fixtures. On the upside, though, the arrivals of Sargent and new signing Jurasek onto the pitch could enhance Norwich’s chances of coming away with some points.
Key Players
Leeds United:
- Joel Piroe: Leading the line in Bamford’s absence, Piroe has scored 10 goals in 17 league starts
- Manor Solomon: The winger has contributed significantly to Leeds’ offensive play, including a goal in the recent win over Sheffield Wednesday.
- Ethan Ampadu: Stepping into the center-back role due to Pascal Struijk’s injury, Ampadu has formed a solid partnership with Joe Rodon.
Norwich City:
- Joshua Sargent: Expected to return to the starting lineup after a groin surgery, Sargent could provide the necessary boost Norwich need in goalscoring
- Matej Jurasek: The new signing from Slavia Prague may make his debut, aiming to fill the void left by the suspended Borja Sainz.
- Kenny McLean: A consistent performer in midfield with 3 assists this season, McLean’s experience will be vital in this challenging fixture.
Scoreline Prediction
Leeds United 2 – 0 Norwich City
Man of The Match: Manor Solomon
- Key Stat: Leeds United are unbeaten in their last five league games against Norwich City (W4 D1).
- Over 2.5 Goals: Given Leeds’ potent attack and Norwich’s defensive vulnerabilities, a match with over 2.5 goals is a plausible outcome.
- Both Teams to Score: Considering Norwich’s recent struggles in front of goal and Leeds’ solid home defense, both teams scoring appears less likely. But the return of Sargent could potentially change things. 1xBet has odds of 1.96 for both teams to score and 1.80 for it to not hit.
- Anytime Goalscorer: Joel Piroe is a strong candidate to find the net, given his current form and role as Leeds’ primary striker.
Conclusion
Leeds United’s impressive home form and overall momentum position them as favorites in this encounter. Norwich City will need to overcome their recent dip in form and address their away challenges to secure a positive result.
The match promises to be a test of Leeds’ promotion credentials and Norwich’s resilience in pursuit of playoff contention. There is also the chance that Daniel Farke rotates his side in view of an upcoming fixture against promotion rivals Burnley.
