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Leeds logo
Championship
Apr 14, 2015 at 7.45pm UK
 
Norwich logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-0)
Howson (57'), Dorrans (91')

Preview: Leeds United vs. Norwich City

Sports Mole takes a closer look at both sides ahead of Tuesday's Championship clash between Leeds United and Norwich City.

Norwich City will continue their promotion campaign on Tuesday night when they visit Elland Road to take on out-of-form Leeds United.

With just four games remaining in the season for both sides, Norwich will be hoping to boost their title bid in Yorkshire, while Leeds may just be looking to avoid another disappointing result.


Leeds United

Alex Mowatt of Leeds United celebrates his goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United and Millwall at Elland Road on February 14, 2015© Getty Images

Throughout the controversy, the frustration and the inconsistent form, the Leeds squad has still managed to rally behind Neil Redfearn as a disappointing campaign enters its closing stages.

A month which started with assistant manager Steve Thompson being suspended to the bemusement of Redfearn, results have suggested that the players may struggle to lift the gloom which surrounds the club at the moment.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat to Cardiff City made it three losses in a row, and the inability to turn spells of promising football into victories will perhaps be the biggest concern for Redfearn, whose side are currently 15th in the table.

Despite the poor run of results, Leeds remain just three points behind 12th-placed Cardiff and a top-half finish may be considered a decent outcome to a turbulent year for the club.

As the uncertainty surrounding the future of director of football Nicola Salerno and Redfearn continues, the challenge for the latter will be to improve confidence over the next few weeks, but boosting morale ahead of a meeting with a promotion-chasing side could be tough.

However, Leeds fans have enjoyed causing upsets already in 2015, and Norwich will be wary of the fact that Redfearn's men have already beaten Bournemouth, Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough since the turn of the year.

Recent form: DWDLLL


Norwich City

Manager Alex Neil of Norwich looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Norwich City at Amex Stadium on April 3, 2015© Getty Images

If recent results have been difficult to swallow for Leeds supporters, Norwich fans will be left delighted that their side have managed to go on a seven-match unbeaten run at a crucial stage of the season.

Apart from showing the attacking intent fans have become used to seeing under the guidance of Alex Neil, the Canaries have also managed to display impressive resilience in recent weeks, and that attitude was there for all to see as they snatched a vital 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers at the weekend.

Gary Hooper was the hero at the Macron Stadium with a 93rd-minute winner for the visitors, and a fourth successive win kept Norwich in the hunt for the title, with Bournemouth currently sitting just one point better off at the top of the table.

Returning to the Premier League with the Championship title locked up would be a brilliant achievement for Neil's side, but he'll be fully aware that securing promotion remains the first target, whether that means as winners, runners-up or by overcoming an even tougher test in the playoffs.

However, the favourites for automatic promotion are sure to become much more obvious over the next few days as Norwich follow the trip to Leeds by hosting Middlesbrough at Carrow Road on Friday night.

The meeting with Aitor Karanka's side could have a big say on who avoids the playoffs, but a slip up before then will pile the pressure on Norwich, whose focus must remain on maintaining their momentum at Elland Road.

Recent form: DDWWWW


Team News

Bradley Johnson for Norwich City on January 10, 2015© Getty Images

Norwich will once again be forced to search for a win without key midfielder Bradley Johnson, who will serve the second match of a two-game suspension for picking up 10 yellow cards this season.

Neil is unlikely to make major changes, but there could be a recall to the starting lineup for Hooper or Lewis Grabban alongside Cameron Jerome in attack.

A frustrating performance again should encourage Redfearn into a reshuffle, and introducing a partner for Mirco Antenucci up front could be an option, with Steve Morison pushing for a start.

Academy product Kalvin Phillips is set to keep his place in the side, but Rodolph Austin is still unavailable due to suspension.

Leeds possible starting lineup:
Silvestri, Wootton, Bamba, Bellusci, Berardi, Phillips, Mowatt, Taylor, Byram, Morison, Antenucci

Norwich possible starting lineup:
Ruddy, Whittaker, Martin, Bassong, Olsson, Tettey, Howson, Dorrans, Redmond, Hooper, Jerome


Head To Head

There was no separating the two sides in the reverse fixture back in October when a Souleymane Doukara goal cancelled out Russell Martin's opener to earn Leeds a 1-1 draw in Norfolk.

The last three meetings between these teams have ended in draws, but Leeds do hold an impressive home record against the Canaries over the years, with Norwich's last league win at Elland Road a 4-0 triumph in the top flight in August 1993.

Leeds have won 12 of the 22 home league fixtures against Norwich, with the visitors only leaving Yorkshire victorious on four occasions.


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Leeds United 0-2 Norwich City

Norwich are on an impressive run in the Championship, and Saturday's dramatic win over Bolton should only give them more confidence in their bid to return to the Premier League. Leeds are limping to the summer break and Norwich should be able to record another win.



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