Dom Matteo has made a prediction as Leeds United take on Norwich City at Elland Road in the play-off semi-final second leg, with promotion from the Championship on the line.
Leeds go up against David Wagner’s men after Sunday’s 0-0 draw at Carrow Road, meaning Leeds and Norwich will go face to face in a one-game shootout to reach the play-off final at Wembley on May 26.
The Whites now boast home advantage with the scoreline equal after avoiding defeat at Carrow Road. Leeds will take confidence having beaten Norwich home and away in the regular season, 3-2 and 1-0.
Connor Roberts and Dan James are fit again while it is unclear if Patrick Bamford will have finally got over a knock to his knee, which has forced the one-time England man to miss the last three matches.
Having watched Sunday’s cagey affair in which the two sides were equally matches, former Leeds man Matteo has given his prediction to LUTV and says that Leeds must get one thing right to win the match.
Here is what the Elland Road icon said ahead of Thursday night’s second leg:
Matteo makes Leeds prediction against Norwich on Thursday
There will be plenty of key battles that Leeds have got to win in order to get the overall result. Can Leeds win the midfield battle, where Norwich are at their strongest in Kenny McLean, Gabriel Sara and more.
Norwich are strong on the flanks too and whether it is Sam Byram or Connor Roberts at right-back, and Junior Firpo on the left have got to play well. But Leeds have the quality and the home support to win.
Matteo says if Leeds are right at the back, then they get the win: “We’ll get a feel of how the game will go after the first five or 10 minutes. First tackle, win your personal battles, do the basics well.
“If we do that in the early part of the game, I think we can win the game. Whoever wins those battles, and approach it with the right attitude, even if you go behind, you’ve got to make sure we score next.
“A lot of scenarios can happen, could be a mistake. Defensively, we’ve got to be rock solid. If we’re rock solid defensively as we have been for most of the season, we’ll win the game,” Matteo said, to LUTV.
How Leeds have got on with Jarred Gillett as man in the middle
Jarred Gillett will be the man with the whistle at Elland Road on Thursday night with the Australian only refereeing three Leeds games throughout his career, Leeds only winning one of those three matches.
A 1-0 win over Barnsley under Marcelo Bielsa that saw Leeds close in on automatic promotion back in 2020-21. He also reffed a 3-3 away draw against Aston Villa, and a 2-2 draw with Cardiff in The FA Cup.
Norwich’s record meanwhile with Gillett refereeing is exceptional, winning six of seven games. Gillett was also in charge for Farke’s last game at Norwich, a 2-1 away win over Brentford in the Premier League.