Leeds United are taking on Norwich City at Elland Road on Sunday afternoon, in what will be the 29th game of the season for both teams.
This is the first time that Leeds have hosted Norwich in a Premier League match since May 1995. On that day, a late winner for the Whites sealed the victory.
The teams have met once already this season, with Leeds taking all three points away from Carrow Road. Goals from Rodrigo and Raphinha - either side of one from Andrew Omobamidele in a frantic four minute spell - made it a successful trip to East Anglia.
Sunday’s match has clear importance for both teams. Leeds are without a win in their last eight Premier League matches, whilst visitors Norwich have no win in their last seven games across all competitions.
In the Premier League this season, the Canaries have recorded just the two away wins. Three points came away at Brentford in early November, with a wait until the end of January for a second victory, away at Watford.
Dean Smith was appointed head coach at Carrow Road in November and results since have improved despite their place in the league. His side are bottom of the table at present, five points behind safety in 17th placed Everton. A win on Sunday would see them reduce the gap to two points and move off the bottom, above Watford, in doing so.
Jesse Marsch has been in charge of Leeds for two matches so far. He’s yet to see his new club win in that time after defeats to Leicester and Aston Villa. A first success on Sunday would see the Whites make the gap five points to 18th placed Burnley, following their loss to 15th placed Brentford on Saturday.
The man in the middle this weekend is Stuart Attwell. The official has overseen 20 matches so far this season across all competitions, showing 67 yellow cards and one red. He has been in charge of one Leeds United game, the 2-0 FA Cup loss at West Ham, but this will be his first for the Canaries this campaign.
The game on Sunday is dedicated to the No Room For Racism (NRFR) campaign. The NRFR initiative sends a strong message to all football supporters that the League and its clubs will not tolerate racist behaviour anywhere and fans are being urged to challenge and report racism wherever it takes place, including online discriminatory abuse.
This encounter has not been selected for television coverage within the UK. Live commentary is available as always through LUTV. Alternatively, stay right here on leedsunited.com for updates throughout the match.
Manager/head coach:
Leeds: Jesse Marsch
Norwich: Dean Smith
What has Jesse Marsch said, ahead of the match?
“Certainly going to the Norwich match, we already know that they're very good on the counter and that they'll defend a little bit deeper and that they’ll look to make it difficult for us to find the goal.”
League position
Leeds: 16th
Norwich: 20th
Top scorer
Leeds: Raphinha (9)
Norwich: Teemu Pukki (8)
Head to head
Leeds: 24
Draw: 16
Norwich: 20
Last time out against Norwich…
Team news
Jesse Marsch’s side will be without Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips, Leo Hjelde and Tyler Roberts against Norwich. It’s also likely that after being stretchered off against Aston Villa on Thursday, that Junior Firpo will be missing as well.
Dean Smith will be able to welcome back Billy Gilmour to his squad after he was unable to face Chelsea on Thursday. On the injury list for the Yellows is forward Adam Idah and defender Andrew Omobamidele, who was on the scoresheet against the Whites at Carrow Road.
Officials
Referee - Stuart Attwell
Assistant Referee - Dan Cook
Assistant Referee - Wade Smith
Fourth Official - Chris Kavanagh
Video Assistant Referee - Mike Dean
A key battle
Patrick Bamford vs Teemu Pukki
These two forwards could have a key outcome on how the match is decided this weekend. Bamford’s return to action is a welcome one, whilst opposite number Pukki is the leading goalscorer for Norwich once again this season. If either striker can find the back of the net, it could go a long way to securing the three points for their teams.
Latest odds
Leeds: 11/20
Draw: 16/5
Norwich: 19/4
How to watch
The match has not been selected for television broadcast coverage within the UK. Live commentary is available as always on LUTV, with blog updates throughout, on leedsunited.com.
