Leeds v Norwich preview
Friday 15 December 2017 12:02, UK
Leeds could select striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga in their squad for the Sky Bet Championship clash with Norwich.
Lasogga has been out since the 3-1 defeat by Brentford in November due to illness and an unspecified knock sustained in training, but the German forward has returned to first team training. Kemar Roofe scored all three goals in the 3-1 victory at QPR so even if Lasogga is given the all-clear, he is unlikely to start.
Caleb Ekuban has a foot injury and is unlikely to feature, strengthening Roofe's claim to a start up front.
Norwich could welcome back midfielder Alex Tettey from a calf injury. The Norway international has not featured since September 30, but has returned to full training, along with left-back Jamal Lewis following his knee problem.
Midfielder Alex Pritchard is expected to be in the side again after recovering from ankle surgery, while defender James Husband has been out with a groin injury. Forward Steven Naismith (ankle) is also stepping up his recovery, while midfielder Louis Thompson (Achilles), winger Matt Jarvis (ankle) and goalkeeper Remi Matthews (ankle) all continue their rehabilitation.
Opta stats
Three meetings between these teams in all competitions last season produced 15 goals, with each side scoring at least twice in each of those games.
The Canaries have won one of their last eight trips to Elland Road in all competitions (D4 L3), a 2-0 win in April 2015.
Two of the three occasions Leeds came from behind at half-time in the Championship last season to avoid defeat were against Norwich - they recovered from 1-0 down to win 3-2 at Carrow Road and 3-1 down to draw 3-3 at Elland Road.
Although only Millwall (21) have used fewer players in the Championship this season than Norwich (22), the Canaries have made 59 starting XI changes, eight more than anyone else.
Since a run of 14 clean sheets in 18 home league matches between December 2016 and September 2017, Leeds have conceded in each of their last six league games at Elland Road.
Both Leeds and Norwich have used a joint league-low seven English players in the Championship this season, along with Fulham and Reading.
Prutton's prediction
Norwich finally got a win on the board last weekend to end their dreadful run and ease some of the pressure on Daniel Farke. But their reward for that is a tough trip to Elland Road to face a Leeds side who are trying to close in on the play-off places.
Thomas Christiansen's side have got over their dip in form, but haven't recorded back-to-back wins since mid-September, and you really need those runs of results to get yourself up the table. I can't split them though. Score draw.
David Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
