Leeds United v Norwich City: A home win's on the cards - YEP jury

Our YEP Jury have their say on Leeds United's home clash with Norwich City.
Kemar Roofe heads in Leeds United's first goal at 
Queens Park Rangers.Kemar Roofe heads in Leeds United's first goal at 
Queens Park Rangers.
Kemar Roofe heads in Leeds United's first goal at Queens Park Rangers.

DAVID WATKINS

Norwich City arrive in Leeds looking to build on their 3-1 home win against Sheffield Wednesday, a win they will hope marked the end of a dire run.

The seven games before that saw them winless and cascading down the table and they currently sit 16th albeit due to the compact nature of the Championship they’re only six points adrift of United.

Thomas Christiansen.Thomas Christiansen.
Thomas Christiansen.
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Leeds’ team selection will be eagerly awaited by fans who witnessed the dynamic second half at Loftus Road; it showed that, in the right circumstances, two genuine wide men with Kemar Roofe in his favoured central position is a potent plan B.

It may not work against the better sides as it means sacrificing a central midfielder and therefore I’d expect Thomas Christiansen to revert to Plan A, playing Samuel Saiz and Pablo Hernandez if fit, at least for the first half until we see what Norwich have to offer.

If we get the selection right and we’re at our best, there is no reason we can’t send the Canaries home to roost empty handed.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Norwich City 0.

Thomas Christiansen.Thomas Christiansen.
Thomas Christiansen.

MATTHEW EVANS

It wasn’t too long ago that Norwich City was a fixture that most Leeds fans were keeping an eye out for.

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Their collection of ex-United players comprised of Jonny Howson, Bradley Johnson, Robert Snodgrass and Luciano Becchio coupled with the uninspiring Steve Morison making the move in the opposite direction meant that the Canaries weren’t particularly popular in West Yorkshire for a good period of time.

It’s always surprising, therefore, that a game with that bit of a spark can return to being just another mediocre fixture in double quick time. Norwich’s visit to Elland Road earlier in the year killed off any hope of the play-offs for United despite a rousing comeback but two fixtures earlier in the season, a last-minute winner at Carrow Road and a League Cup win on penalties, were pivotal to us building momentum last term.

The same could well be true of tomorrow’s game and with them languishing in the lower reaches of the table and United seemingly back in form, a home win should be on the cards.

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Norwich City 0.

KEITH INGHAM

Leeds have turned the corner, results don’t lie. A concerted push up the table up to Christmas and beyond may just tempt the owner of the club to open the cheque book and bring in some more players.

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Stuart Dallas may still be missing, but Pierre-Michel Lasogga trained this week so may well be given a place on the bench. I cannot see the team changing after a impressive second half at Loftus Road. Pavel Cibicki should stay on the right side of the forward midfield three, leaving the central striking to seven-goal Kemar Roofe.

With another near full house to roar on their favourites, a good start is important. An early goal for Leeds will give them the impetus needed to give the fans a pre-Christmas week boost. I’ve been impressed with the head coach. He’s silenced the critics, including me by ‘sticking to his guns’ and his players have done the talking for him.

I see another three points on the cards and with another home game to follow this one they have a excellent chance of being in the top six before Santa brings the goodies.

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Norwich City 1.

MIKE GILL

After Saturday’s solid performance against Queens Park Rangers, Leeds return to a proper Saturday afternoon fixture at Elland Road for the first time in two months.

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Another good crowd is assured to hopefully witness a further instalment in United’s steady return to form in the Championship.

Everyone expects Kemar Roofe to lead the line and Pavel Cibicki surely deserves a chance wide on the right.

Let us also hope that Felix Wiedwald can shake off his bizarre error against QPR as a period of stability is now most important for the Whites.

After taking only two points out of the previous 18 available, the Canaries finally won a game by beating Sheffield Wednesday last time out.

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Although Norwich desperately need another positive result, I expect them to come looking for a draw and so Leeds need to exercise the same patience that paid off at Loftus Road.

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Norwich City 1.

GARY NEWBOULD

Leeds United look to continue their improved run of late when they entertain Norwich City at Elland Road tomorrow afternoon.

The Canaries, who are now managed by German Daniel Farke, have had a mixed season to date and lie six points and nine places worse off than their hosts.

Last time out the Canaries beat Sheffield Wednesday at home, however their last win on the road was almost two months ago when they were victorious at Portman Road in “the Tractor Derby”.

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Coach Thomas Christiansen’s biggest call will be who to put between the sticks after another comedy show from Felix Weidwald at Queens Park Rangers last weekend. Personally Andy Lonergan would be my choice with a solid back up a key part of January’s transfer business.

If we can keep things tight at the back and show the same lethal finishing up front, I have every confidence that another three points can be achieved and the dreaded Christmas shopping avoided!

Prediction: Leeds United 3 Norwich City 1.