Preview: Leeds United vs Norwich City

16 May 2024

Leeds United

The tie is goalless heading into the second leg.

Leeds United host Norwich City in Thursday’s Sky Bet Championship Play-Off semi-final second leg at Elland Road.

Finely poised after the opening tie at Carrow Road, the two teams go into the clash goalless, knowing a win on the evening will book a spot at next weekend's showpiece final at Wembley Stadium.

With both sides backed by an electric atmosphere in Norfolk, the Whites had strong claims for a penalty as Italian forward Willy Gnonto was sent tumbling to the ground under a challenge from the Canaries' Borja Sainz.

In a first-half that brought few chances under the East Anglian sun, full-back Junior Firpo thought he had put United into the lead when he took advantage of a defensive mix up to tap home, only for the offside flag to be raised against Georginio Rutter for his involvement in the build-up.

After the break, good build up from Glen Kamara and Firpo saw the pair link up well to create an opening for Crysencio Summerville, only for Angus Gunn to deny the winger’s effort from a narrow angle.

As the game approached its dying embers, Archie Gray and Jaidon Anthony had efforts blocked well by yellow shirts, leaving the tie all square going into the second leg at Elland Road.

???? Fighting for the clean sheet! pic.twitter.com/WTWw8sApfJ

— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 13, 2024

“When you play a Play-Off semi-final with two legs, an away draw and especially also a clean sheet in a difficult ground here, it’s always a good and solid result,” boss Daniel Farke said after the match. “A good basement situation for the second leg at home, there's no doubt about this.

“I'm happy with the performance and happy also with the result. Obviously, the last games in the regular season were not that great in terms of results and also we have conceded too many goals after many clean sheets during the season.

“We have a massive game up and coming on Thursday evening and it’s just halftime and we have to keep going.

“I think it will be a pretty, pretty impressive atmosphere on Thursday. But we also have to make sure that we are also not overexcited. So, to show a good mental strength in this moment will be also quite important.”

The winner of the tie will face the winner of Southampton vs West Bromwich Albion at Wembley. Action from Elland Road gets underway at 8pm.

Glen reacts to the first leg:

????️ Glen: “We were solid defensively” pic.twitter.com/KQrtHnXhZZ

— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 12, 2024

The pitch is for the players and the stands are for spectators:

No matter what stage of the season we are at, people must respect that the pitch is for players and stands are for spectators. It is against the law to enter the pitch at any time and anyone who does so will face a ban and police action. Recent pitch incursions have brought football bans, police prosecution and criminal records - this can impact employment, education and international travel. Everybody should feel safe at football but pitch incursions endanger everyone because at the time it is impossible to tell the difference between celebration and an attack. Entering the pitch will likely also result in penalties for the Club, so do not spoil it for the team or other fans. From fans, to stewards to players, we all have a role to play in keeping each other safe on matchdays. We need to protect each other, the Club and the game.

How to watch:

The match is available to Watch Live in selected territories. Live audio commentary is available worldwide with Bryn Law and club legend Tony Dorigo for monthly audio subscribers, which includes video build up, analysis and reaction at video.leedsunited.com. Buy your match pass HERE.

Supporters can also follow all the updates live on leedsunited.com with our online blog throughout the match.

The match has also been selected for live television coverage within the UK, on Sky Sports. For further information on how to watch the game across the rest of the world, please see our ‘How to Watch’ guide on leedsunited.com, ahead of kick-off!

Important supporter information:

Discriminatory language or chanting is not acceptable and you could be breaking the law. The club condemns this behaviour and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.

To report an incident, text LEEDS along with any relevant information including ticket details, your name and description of an incident to 60006. You will then receive an automated response which means that your report has been logged and will then be looked into.

Tough measures and sanctions are in place across all English football leagues to tackle dangerous and illegal behaviours within football grounds, and this involves but is not limited to, discriminatory behaviour, tragedy chanting, fans entering the pitch, the use of pyros and throwing objects.

What Daniel Farke said, after the first leg:

????️ Daniel: “A good, solid result” pic.twitter.com/UL9VnRULy0

— Leeds United (@LUFC) May 12, 2024

Head to head:

Wins: 27

Draws: 17

Losses: 20

Top scorer 2023/24:

Leeds: Crysencio Summerville (20)

Norwich: Josh Sargent (16)

League position:

Leeds: 3rd