Norwich vs Leeds predictions: Canaries can claim a surprise victory
- Norwich are unbeaten in their last 21 home matches
- Leeds have failed to score in three of their last five away fixtures
- Recommended bet: Norwich draw no bet
Norwich were crushed by Leeds in last season’s Championship play-offs, losing 4-0 on aggregate, but they will strive to be more competitive when hosting the Yorkshire side in their penultimate game before the October international break.
Missing out on promotion prompted a change of direction from Norwich, who sacked David Wagner and brought in Johannes Thorup as their new head coach.
And the Canaries have made a solid enough start under the Dane by taking 11 points from seven matches.
Leeds are three points higher in the standings and head to Norfolk with the aim of registering a third straight win for the first time this season.
Team news
Anis Ben Slimane returned from injury for Norwich as a substitute in Saturday’s 3-2 victory at Derby and could be pushing for a start.
However, Onel Hernandez, Liam Gibbs (both hamstring) Christian Fassnacht (Achilles), Jacob Sorensen (foot) and Ashley Barnes (leg) are still out of contention.
Leeds holding midfielder Ethan Ampadu sustained a knee injury during Saturday’s 3-0 win at home to Coventry and is expected to be sidelined until December.
Ao Tanaka could slot in as Ampadu’s replacement but Maximilian Wober (knee), Dan James and Manor Solomon (both hamstring) are unavailable.
The stats
Norwich are unbeaten in their last 21 home matches.
Both teams have scored in six of Norwich’s last seven home fixtures.
The Canaries have scored the first goal in four of their last five Championship games.
Five of Norwich’s last eight games have generated at least four goals.
Leeds have failed to score in three of their last five away games.
Five of Leeds’s last six games have generated less than three goals.
Prediction
Norwich are unbeaten in 21 home games stretching back to November 2023 and they can stage another successful defence of fortress Carrow Road by defeating Leeds.
The teams crossed paths in last season’s Championship playoffs and Leeds emerged victorious after a 0-0 draw in Norfolk and a 4-0 triumph at Elland Road.
Looking back on those matches, Norwich would probably have more than a few regrets.
The Canaries totally crumbled in the second leg but part of the damage was done at Carrow Road, where they were strangely passive and seemed content with the goalless outcome.
Norwich are determined to play more positively this season and were outstanding in their last home game when beating Watford 4-1.
They are used to playing front-foot football on home soil and can cause some problems for a Leeds side weakened by the absence of injured holding midfielder Ethan Ampadu.
Leeds breezed to a 3-0 win at home to Coventry on Saturday but they face a sterner test in Norfolk and may suffer their second league loss of the campaign.
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