Norwich City -v- Leeds United

In just about every aspect Leeds United are an equal match to Norwich City. According to the statistics.

There are elements, however, that could see Norwich edge it over Leeds. Not as clear cut as last season, after all, Leeds will have spent a great deal more on building the Club for the push for the Premiership.

Leeds’ statistics show a record:

While Norwich has:

So what is it that Norwich has that could edge it? Well, first of all, there is home advantage. Although it isn’t yet what it once was, Carrow Road is well on the way to being a fortress again. The players will feel that they owe it to the home supporters to give as resounding a display that is so regularly on view when on the road.

Then, according to a Club release, a record all-seated crowd of 26,300 is expected. The installation of additional seats last summer will play a part in the push for promotion, as was intended.

Then, of course, is the way that Norwich played last season, leaving Leeds to choke on the dust until the fat lady started to exercise her tonsils and Leeds avoided the previous losing gamble of the play-offs.

Leeds will be out to make amends for that, though. They are a well known physical side, which means that our shorter players will need to play smart, not tough. Besides that, though, Leeds players are on a roll.

Since losing 4-0 to Cardiff at Elland Road, Leeds have won 3 out of 4 games, that last game a draw. 13 goals have come from those games, and nobody needs to remind Norwich City supporters just how useful it is to be on a winning run.

There is another, very subtle, difference. Simon Grayson says that he challenges his players to go out and succeed, placing pressure on them to perform well.

On the other hand, all Paul Lambert asks of his players is that they go out and play to the best of their ability. This means there is no pressure if they fail, and that brings out the best in them.

By all the evidence available, this match looks to have all the ingredients for an entertaining afternoon. The countdown has started...

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