Our prediction for this Championship match:
A place in the Championship playoffs final will be at stake when Leeds United and Norwich City lock horns at Elland Road on Thursday evening. The two teams played out a goalless draw in the first leg, but the Whites are seen as hot favourites to win the reverse fixture. Both Pascal Struijk and Patrick Bamford are sidelined with injuries, while Wales winger Daniel James has recovered from his respective problem.
The Canaries, on the other hand, are likely to adopt a defence-minded approach in the second leg, but preventing Leeds United from scoring at Elland Road is easier said than down. Daniel Farke’s men are not considered good travellers and that is probably the main reason why home win should be considered. As for the visitors, both Joshua Sargent and Ashley Barnes are major doubt and the duo will be assessed ahead of the kick-off.
Highlighted Player (Patrick Bamford):
Known for his technical ability and versatility, Patrick Bamford is an English professional footballer who plays for Leeds United in the Championship. The 6ft tall forward who was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, is a Nottingham Forest youth product and signed his first professional with the club in 2011. He made his professional debut, playing for the Reds in a 0-1 home defeat to Cardiff on the 31st of December, 2011.
Bamford's career then took him to Premier League giants Chelsea with whom he signed a five year deal worth 1.5 million pounds on the 31st of January, 2012. His time at the Blues included loan spells at clubs like Milton Keynes Dons, Derby County, Middlesborough, Crystal Palace, Norwich, and Burnley. He scored his first professional goal while playing for Milton against Crewe Alexandra on the 19th of March, 2013. In January 2017, Bamford permanently left Chelsea to reunite with Middlesborough on a four-and-a-half-year deal. In his second spell, Bamford made 47 appearances for the club and scored 12 goals.
The Striker followed up by joining Championship side Leeds United for the 18/19 season and is currently on a four-and-a-half-year contract with the club. Born on the 5th of September, 1993, the 26-year-old initially featured for the Republic of Ireland under-18 team before switching to represent England for whom he's gone on to serve at the under-18, under-19, and the under-21 level.
Highlighted Team (Norwich):
After spending only one season in the Premier League, Norwich City dropped to the Championship at the end of the 2015/2016 campaign. Norwich City are located in Norwich, Norfolk and they welcome their rivals at Carrow Road.
The stadium was built and opened in 1935 and the capacity of the venues is 27,137 (all-seater). However the stadium’s record attendance is 43,984. The Canaries have won two League Cup trophies (1973, 1975) and their main rivals are Ipswich Town. The two teams have been facing each other in the East Anglian Derby since 1902.
The colour of Norwich City’s home kit is yellow and green and that is the main reason why they are known as the Canaries. The likes of Kevin Keeland, Ian Culverhouse, Steve Bruce, Duncan Forbes, Mark Bowen, Darren Huckerby, Ian Crook, Martin Peters, Darren Eadier, Chris Sutton and Iwan Roberts are notable footballers who played for the Carrow Road outfit in the past.