Danny Mills has given his prediction for tonight’s clash between Leeds United and Norwich City at Elland Road, in the second leg of the play-off semi-finals.
Daniel Farke’s men go into the second leg of the tie after drawing against Norwich at Carrow Road, keeping a clean sheet in a cagey 0-0 with both sides cancelling eachother out throughout the game.
The result saw Leeds gather some momentum after two straight losses to QPR and Southampton and four defeats in the last six, and just one clean sheet in the last eight Leeds matches in the Championship.
Leeds are without Patrick Bamford again on Thursday night with the striker unable to overcome a knock to his knee, which has seen the one-time England man miss the last three matches including Sunday.
Now, Leeds are just 90 minutes from booking their place at Wembley on May 26 with Southampton going up against West Brom in the other semi-final after they also drew 0-0 in the first leg on Sunday.
Former Leeds defender Mills gave his prediction to TalkSPORT on Thursday morning (8.40AM):
Mills predicts Leeds clash against Norwich on Thursday night
While Bamford is missing, Leeds will have Connor Roberts and Dan James in the squad after recent injuries. Norwich could be without strikers Ashley Barnes and Josh Sargent for tonight’s second leg.
Leeds will be confident having beaten David Wagner’s men both home and away in the regular season, and boasting the Championship’s second-best home record, prompting Mills to back a Leeds victory.
“It’s not a foregone conclusion, who can handle the pressure. Elland Road is one of the best atmospheres when it’s rocking, lights are on. The atmosphere is second to none. But that comes with added pressure.
“You can get a few moans and groans. Home form great. Everything points to a Leeds win. But I’ve seen Leeds in the play-offs, Bielsa against Derby, it can fall apart in a split second. I hope Leeds don’t crumble.”
Kevin Blackwell also gives his prediction as Leeds face Norwich
Blackwell was Leeds manager for one of the previous five times Leeds have been in the play-offs, getting to the final before losing 3-0 to Watford back in 2005-06 and he has given his prediction before tonight.
Mentioning the play-off curse which has seen Leeds fail to win in any of those five occasions, former Leeds boss Blackwell predicted Leeds to get past Norwich and that Wembley will suit Leeds in the final.
“Leeds, if they get past Norwich, I think Wembley will suit them. They’ll be in a lot better position to overcome this play-off curse and I think they can finally do it,” Blackwell mentioned, ahead of tonight.