Norwich welcome Leeds to Norfolk this weekend as the Championship play-offs get underway, and it’s live on talkSPORT.
The visitors are going to have to pick themselves up after missing out on automatic promotion to the Premier League on the last day of the season.
Ipswich just pipped Leeds to second place after a late-season collapse from the Whites.
Daniel Farke now takes his side to his former club for the first of a two-legged semi-final, with the winner making it to Wembley.
Leeds will have home advantage in the second leg, so the Canaries will be hoping to win and take a good lead to Elland Road.
Norwich vs Leeds: Farke’s return
Farke spent over four years at Carrow Road as Norwich boss before departing the club in November 2021.
In that time, the German won the Championship twice, but Norwich couldn’t survive in the top-flight under Farke.
Despite this, he’s still very well respected at Carrow Road and assembled two great sides that took England’s second tier by force.
He created some brilliant moments for the Norwich fans and proved he was a master at getting teams promoted from the Championship, which is why Leeds hired him.
Of course, he’s already been back this season in a game that ended in a 3-2 win for Leeds, but returning in the play-offs is different.
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He knows his team could be the ones to deny Norwich a shot at promotion, which might be a bitter-sweet feeling should Leeds win.
- Norwich have won just one of their last seven home games against Leeds in all competitions (D2 L4), losing each of the last three in a row. Their meeting at Carrow Road in the regular Championship season finished 3-2 to the Whites.
- Leeds have won each of their last four games against Norwich in all competitions, with this their first meeting in the Football League play-offs.
- This is just Norwich’s third appearance in the Football League play-offs, all in the second tier. They lost the 2002 final against Birmingham City on penalties, before beating Middlesbrough in 2015 to reach the Premier League.
Norwich vs Leeds: Team news
The hosts are expected to have a few players back in action.
David Wagner revealed in his pre-match press conference that Jonathan Rowe and Christian Fassnacht are back in full training.
Ashley Barnes is going to miss the first leg but should be back for the visit to Yorkshire.
However, Onel Hernandez and Liam Gibbs won’t play any part.
Shane Duffy has also been included in the squad despite being arrested for drink-driving earlier this week.
Meanwhile, Leeds will be without Patrick Bamford for both legs due to a knee injury he’s suffered.
Daniel James is back in training and is expected to be on the bench.
- Leeds have never won promotion via the Football League play-offs, with this their sixth appearance. They lost 4-3 on aggregate to Frank Lampard’s Derby County in the 2018-19 semi-final in their most recent.
- Norwich have won both of their home legs in the Football League play-offs by a 3-1 scoreline (vs Wolves in 2001-02 and Ipswich Town in 2014-15).
- Since the second tier rebrand to the Championship in 2004, the team finishing third has won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs almost 50% of the time (9/19).
Norwich vs Leeds: What has been said?
Leeds boss Farke doesn’t believe this play-off semi-final is about him.
He said: “It’s not about me. It’s not about playing chess with the opponent’s manager.
“In such a crunch game, it’s the players who decide things.
“Managers are there to support them and back them and prepare them in the best possible way.
“This game will not be won or lost by great decisions on the touchline. It’s totally up to the players.”
Norwich vs Leeds: Date and how to follow
This Championship play-off semi-final first leg is set to take place on Sunday, May 12.
Kick-off at Carrow Road is scheduled for 12pm.
talkSPORT will have live coverage from Norfolk, with Sam Matterface serving as your presenter.
Commentary will then come from Ian Danter and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.
talkSPORT.com will also have all the reaction.
To tune in to talkSPORT through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
News Summary:
- Norwich vs Leeds LIVE commentary: Daniel Farke returns to Carrow Road in Championship play-off semi-final – kick-off time, team news and how to follow
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