Adrian Clarke, an EFL analyst, has predicted who would win the Championship play-off match between Norwich City and Leeds United.
Daniel Farke’s Leeds side will face his previous club for the third and fourth time this season, with the first leg taking place at Carrow Road on Sunday.
Leeds will then play the reverse leg at Elland Road on Thursday, hoping to win a home play-off contest for the first time since 1987.
Leeds are the overall favourites for the play-offs, according to OPTA’s supercomputer, but they must make Championship history to do so.
No team has ever won the play-offs after losing four of their last six regular season games since the second tier expanded to a 46-game season.
Adrian Clarke predicts the winner of Norwich against Leeds.
Given Leeds’ form in the last stages of the season, it’s fair to assume that fans aren’t overly optimistic about their chances in the playoffs.
Leeds have failed in all five tries to gain promotion through this means, and after missing out on automatic promotion, Martin O’Neill believes Farke has a tough job on his hands to get his squad ready.
Chris Sutton believes that all of the burden is on Leeds going into this game, and commentator Adrian Clarke is the latest to weigh in on the latest episode of the ‘What the EFL Podcast’.
He believes Norwich are the favourites going into the first leg, but is leaning towards Leeds to reach the final at Wembley.
He stated: “Leeds are definitely on their knees in terms of form. It was concerning that they were so easily defeated at home by Southampton. I would almost make Norwich the favourites for the first leg, but among the two, I would go with Leeds United.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if this was cagey, similar to the old farm derby [in April] between Norwich and Ipswich, which was a horrific game. Norwich won 1-0, and I believe they will try to contain Leeds’ front players in this meeting. I doubt they will play in a free-flowing manner, but I hope I am proven incorrect.”
Chris Sutton names the Leeds duo. Norwich has to stop.
Leeds completed a league double over Norwich and finished 17 points ahead of them in the table, so despite their dismal recent play, they should be confident.
Norwich did not finish the season well, with no wins in their last three games, and Sutton has chosen the two Leeds players they must stop to have a chance.
He stated, “The wide areas will be a key battleground.” The matchup will be Jack Stacey versus Crysencio Summerville and Sam McCallum, or Dimi Giannoulis versus Willy Gnonto. Norwich must win such skirmishes if they are to get through the two legs.”
