Leeds vs Norwich Prediction: The Whites to get the job done at Elland Road

After delivering one of the worst games of play-off football we have ever seen, surely it can only get better from here as Leeds United host Norwich City at Elland Road on Thursday night (Sky Sports Main Event, 20:00) for their Championship second leg. A boring 0-0 was played at Carrow Road on Sunday and both sides have left it all to do here.

Below I have put forward my Leeds vs Norwich predictions, as we all hope for a far more entertaining contest. You can also check out the betting odds for the match as well as team news.

Leeds vs Norwich Odds

Leeds are the 4/7 favourites to win this match in 90 minutes, giving them a 63.6% chance. Norwich are on offer at 4/1, which gives them an implied probability of 20%. The draw can be backed at 11/4 (26.7%).

The hosts are 2/7 to qualify for the play-off final and Norwich are 5/2.

Both teams to score is 4/5 and over 2.5 goals is available at the same price. Leeds winger Crysencio Summerville netted 19 goals in the regular season and he is marketed at 13/8 to score anytime on Thursday.

Norwich striker Josh Sargent had 16 for the campaign but he did limp off in the first leg with an ankle problem. He is valued at 11/4 to score anytime in this match.

Team News

Leeds defender Pascal Struijk's season has been over for a while and he had to have groin surgery. Patrick Bamford is set to be out for a few weeks with an injury of his own, and so he will be a doubt for if the Whites do reach the play-off final.

Dan James appeared at Carrow Road as a second-half substitute after shaking off his own physical problem, and he will be pushing for a start here, most likely in place of Wilfried Gnonto.

Norwich are going to be panicking over the availability of star striker Sargent after he limped off on Sunday. Fellow forward Ashley Barnes is a doubt to feature, too, after missing the first leg through injury. This could open the door for Sydney van Hooijdonk to receive his first start for the club since arriving on loan in January.

Onel Hernandez and Liam Gibbs are definitely ruled out for the Canaries.

Leeds and both teams to score @ 23/10

Neither side gave a good account of themselves in the first leg and they have left it all to do here at Elland Road. There needs be an improvement in quality on the pitch and given what's at stake here, both sides will likely sharpen up.

I think the Canaries will be left to rue not capitalising on their home leg as now they will be at the mercy of a raucous Leeds crowd, spurring their side on. I believe there will be a fiery atmosphere here, and that the home players will feed off it.

In the regular season, Leeds won 70% (16/23) of their home matches, and Elland Road is where they have always been at their strongest. If Norwich arrive here without their greatest asset Sargent, I think it could be a tough evening for them.

Leeds' attackers will need to be at their devastating best here and I anticipate that they will. Summerville was crowned the Championship Player of the Season last month and I believe that he will show why he was given that accolade in this second leg.

The hosts have a lot of firepower at their disposal so I don't think goals will be an issue for them here, but given this high-pressure situation, I do see Norwich scoring, particularly as Leeds shipped 10 goals in their final four league appearances.

Crysencio Summerville first goalscorer @ 9/2

When it comes to players who can take this second leg by the scruff of the neck, no one stands out more than Leeds' Summerville. He was voted the best player in the division and his 19 goals and nine assists show just how much of an amazing campaign he has had.

He was relatively quiet at the weekend (who wasn't?) but I am expecting him to shine at Elland Road on Thursday night and get the ball rolling for Leeds. I think there is good value to be had in backing him to score first in this contest, especially given how lively the atmosphere will be from the off.

I'm expecting him to thrive off it and grab the first goal of this play-off semi-final, which should set Leeds up for progress to the final at Wembley Stadium later this month.

Betfred are running their famed Double Delight & Hat-trick Heaven offer on this match, meaning that if a player scores first and then nets again, you will be paid at double the odds. If he grabs a hat-trick, you will be paid at treble the odds!