da realsbet： Leeds United and Norwich City will face each other tomorrow night in the EFL Cup, with a place in the quarter-finals awaiting the winner.
da betway： Both sides are just about meeting expectations in the league this season with Norwich currently fourth in the Championship and Leeds in tenth – just three points off the play-offs.
The match promises to be an interesting clash between two of the biggest sides outside of the Premier League, so a place in the last eight would be a fine reward for the fans who have stuck by them through relegations and more.
The Whites boast home advantage tomorrow night, playing in the relative safety of Elland Road, but the Canaries are undoubtedly the stronger team on paper – evident enough through their current league standing.
With that in mind, Tuesday’s League Cup clash looks set to be decided by which side dominates the individual battles, so Football FanCast have picked five that will determine the outcome.
CHRIS WOOD VS TIMM KLOSE
As Leeds’ top scorer, the threat of Chris Wood may well be what decides the clash for Leeds tomorrow.
Wood has scored six of the Whites’ 14 goals this season and will have a say if they are to break through Norwich’s defence.
But in order to do that, he will have to beat The Canaries’ Timm Klose, who has been consistent since joining from German side Wolfsburg in the January transfer window.
CAMERON JEROME VS KYLE BARTLEY
If Chris Wood is Leeds’ key man, Cameron Jerome is arguably the same for the Canaries.
The 30-year-old also has six strikes to his name this term, albeit in a side that tends to share the goals around a lot more.
What Jerome also does for his side, however, is hold up the play and draw opposition defenders out of position with his pace and ability in the air.
It’s difficult to say whether it’ll be Pontus Jansson or Kyle Bartley who will be tasked with dealing with Jerome. As the quicker of the two we’d bet on Bartley, but the ex-Cardiff man is capable of keeping them both busy.
CHARLIE TAYLOR VS JACOB MURPHY
While Cameron Jerome is one who needs to be watched, Leeds will also have to keep an eye on Jacob Murphy.
The 21-year-old has found the net five times already from a wide position and will provide a stern test for Charlie Taylor.
If the left-back can keep Murphy subdued, then Leeds stand a greater chance of victory. But with the winger’s pace and ability to cut in from the right, that’ll be easier said than done.
HADI SACKO VS ROBBIE BRADY
Robbie Brady is one of Norwich’s key players in the way he can get up the pitch as well as help out the full-back.
The Republic of Ireland wide man is a threat coming forward with his crossing accuracy and deliveries from set pieces.
It may well be his defensive duties that are more important as he faces up against Hadi Sacko.
The Senegalese winger is Leeds’ chief creative threat with four assists from the right wing this season. Brady needs to keep him quiet – anything else would be a bonus.
WES HOOLAHAN VS EUNAN O’KANE
It’s difficult to say whether Wes Hoolahan will even start the match given he played 90 minutes against Preston North End at the weekend.
The Irishman is 34 years of age now and arguably doesn’t have the legs to play week in, week out – but he’s still one of best players in the league.
If he starts, Eunan O’Kane will be the man tasked with tracking the tricky midfielder. He’s got the legs to do so but keeping up with Hoolahan’s shrewdness in midfield will be the bigger challenge.