After a thrilling Sky Bet Championship season, Norwich City and Leeds United kick off a Sunday playoff double-header.
With a game dubbed ‘the most valuable single game of football in the world’ just 180 minutes away, how are these two sides shaping up?
Lacking form
The answer to that is, indifferent.
Form is a huge factor entering the playoffs, but that is hardly a watch-word used for either team.
In the case of Leeds, having lost four of their last six to end the season, of all four playoff contenders, the Whites’ position is most questionable.
But that is not to say Sunday’s hosts finished the term with straight As either.
David Wagner’s men failed to win in their last three, dropping points in half of the last six, losing to relegated Birmingham City on final day.
Home comforts
However, when it comes to Carrow Road, the Canaries are very much at home in their Norfolk roost.
For such a roller-coaster campaign, for Norwich not to have not been beaten at home since way back in November is huge testament.
We are encouraging supporters to create a sea of yellow for the play-off first leg this Sunday at Carrow Road 🏟
Plus, get to the ground early for:
Team arrival 🚎
Live music outside 🎸
Food & drink discount 🍻Be 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆, wear 𝘆𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 🟡
— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) May 8, 2024
On that day seven months back, a Sammie Szmodics brace inflicted a 3-1 loss, but since then, Norwich have won 11 times at home.
Most impressively, that included again toppling Ipswich Town, putting a sizeable spanner in the promotion works.
Inviting odds
So how can we as punters approach Sunday’s game at Carrow Road?
It may be shrewd to note Norwich’s home form, as documented.
Despite Leeds being installed as favourites to progress to Wembley, the hosts retain significant value this weekend.
A 12/5 shot with 888sport, Norwich taking an advantage to Elland Road looks plausible.
In any event, goals should be on the menu.
For Norwich to score in both halves, a boosted 15/4 punt from 3/1 with BoyleSports, should attract interest.
Meanwhile, despite a down-turn in form, Leeds will be pinning their hopes on star winger Crysencio Summerville.
The Dutch starlet may have found the net in just one of the last six, but will be a threat.
A Summerville anytime goal can be grabbed at 5/2 with Unibet.
Norwich City host Leeds United in the semi-final first-leg of the Championship playoffs on Sunday at Carrow Road, kick-off, 12:00 BST.
