Leeds - Norwich City ... Preview

Leeds fans will have undoubtedly earmarked these last couple of weeks in February as crucial to proving our promotion credentials as we firstly aim to make more sure of a Play-Off place and possibly even push on into the top two. In three crucial outings between now and next Saturday, we face two direct promotion rivals in Norwich and Swansea, as well as what will be a tough contest in a local derby against Barnsley - who lets not forget hit five past us earlier this season at Oakwell.

This important three-game period begins tomorrow with Norwich visiting Elland Road in a tie that will no doubt be a hark back to last season's promotion race, and hopefully mirror the result we managed at Elland Road in the same fixture last year. Forster's slip and skewed pass to Beckford gifted Leeds the win, and brought Lambert to his knees. How Grayson and the Leeds faithful would like to see the stuffing knocked out of the Norwich boss again this season.

The promotion race is unquestionably wide open. The top six have all played the same amount of games, bar Forest who have one in hand. I was fully expecting Forest to beat Scunthorpe in midweek and go a point clear in second. Scunny managed the impossible though and ended Forest's twelve game unbeaten league record with a vital win. 2nd-6th position in the division is a span of merely 3 points, with QPR seemingly running away with it, 5 points clear at the top. Its tight, and we need to keep getting results. Leicester are waiting ominously in the wings should anyone in the Play-Off positions take their eye off the ball.

On the back of two wins and two clean sheets, then, we need to keep up the pressure, with at the very least no loss against either Norwich or Swansea, and ideally a win against Barnsley. Anything more will be outstanding for us, especially with the Swansea game being away from home.

In a similar vain to us, Norwich are also on a pretty good run winning eight of their last thirteen in the league. Further, one loss in their last 10, encompassing a win against table toppers QPR and a draw against Cardiff. Four wins since the turn of the year though and a tendency to struggle a little more on the road, their one win in the last four on the road against imploding Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. They have also failed to beat any of the current top half away from home this season... Any way you look at form however, this will be a tough game in front of 30,000 at Elland Road, with Grant Holt likely to be a thorn in the side to us again. Keeping tabs on him will be vital to our result. He's big, strong, powerful, good in the air, and a good finisher - he'll be their impetus going forward - Bruce and O'Brien need to be on form and can't give him a sniff. He's said this week: “We’ll worry about Elland Road now and rectify what happened there last year." He'll be making sure he does his best to put pay to that slip at Elland Road, and will be all the more of a threat for it.

Elland Road has turned into a recent asset to us once more, unbeaten in our last eight in the Championship. This can only be improved with 30,000 vociferous Yorkshiremen inside the ground.

Keeping concentration until the last will also prove crucial to us. Norwich have managed eight injury time goals, and have gained 16 points from 11 goals scored in the last ten minutes of games this season. This is a trait we have possessed ourselves at times, and our never say die attitude will have to be on display tomorrow.

In regards to our set up and what I'd like to see, I believe Simon will stick to the 4-5-1 that won last time out, and leave Somma on the bench to allow us to go to a 4-4-2 if we need to chase the game or go for the win in the last ten minutes. I can't see Simon changing the lineup, meaning Kilkenny stays, as does Lichaj at right back, who'll be keen to show a packed Elland Road what he's all about.

It is obviously crucial that we take advantage of Gradel and Snoddy's current confidence and form tomorrow. At every opportunity we should be looking to get the ball quickly to them out wide, so that they're able to break against a single player. If we don't move the ball quickly it's highly likely Lambert will have instructed doubling up on both of them. Incisive and quick passing will be vital if we're to try and catch them out defensively.

Last time out it was Gradel who scored, at the beginning of his current run of form - Becchio was the man felled in the box and the referee played advantage to allow Gradel to slot past Ruddy.

Prediction

Despite our last two games yielding clean sheets, I remain worried about conceding - after all Bristol and Coventry aren't the most prolific scorers or creative forces in the league. Norwich, Grant Holt, Hoolahan and Crofts will provide a threat and I believe we will concede. Our threat going forward is undeniable though. In a bid not to not tempt fate again, I'm saying:

Leeds 2-2 Norwich City

Team News

Leeds

Sanchez Watt should return to the bench after missing the past three with a hamstring problem.

Personally I think it'll stay 4-5-1 with Somma on the bench, meaning Kilkenny remains in the side.

Lichaj obviously remains in place of Connolly.

Norwich

Norwich are without influential defender Leon Barnett who's been ruled out for the rest of the season, after going off in their last outing against Reading. He scored their goal against us at Carrow Road in November. It should work to our advantage as disruption in a successful back four must surely have a negative impact on the Canaries defensive confidence.

Midfielder Surman could return to start after a lay off.