Leeds United could see sentimental Farke calls and Elland Road play-off first vs Norwich

Elland Road is the key component in this Championship play-off semi-final second leg.

Leeds United and Norwich City were inseparable on Sunday, but if home advantage holds true tonight, the Whites will have the upper hand.

The atmosphere should be charged with electricity, anticipation, and optimism.

How will it react to the events of the evening,

however? Anyone who remembers 2019 will recall the vitality being drained out of the stadium by Jack Marriott‘s equaliser,

and almost a sixth sense that it will crumble after that.

On the other hand, many supporters have described this season’s home atmosphere as the finest they’ve ever experienced.

The ferocious explosion of the comeback victory over Leicester City will never be forgotten.

The stadium willed the triumph to happen, and everyone must be hoping for a similar night.

Elland Road farewells?

Win or lose, tonight will be the final time some of United’s players wear white at Elland Road.

The game takes precedence, and Farke will make decisions to ensure Leeds wins,

but if the outcome is certain with time remaining, the manager may be tempted to give some players their final appearance in LS11.

Liam Cooper, Sam Byram, and Jamie Shackleton’s existing contracts will end this summer.

Unless fresh conditions are provided, this will be Leeds’ final home game.

While Byram has played enough to suggest Farke may want to keep him,

it would be a major surprise if this was not a last chance for Cooper and Shackleton.

Joe Rodon, Jaidon Anthony, and Connor Roberts’ loan agreements will all expire this summer.

Unless new deals can be reached with their clubs, this will be their final lap at Elland Road as Leeds players.

Aside from contracts, several players will very certainly be sold this summer, whether or not they get promoted.

Farke will need to reinforce what he has in the Premier League and let his inferior options go,

while another Championship season will almost certainly ensure his top players are pursued by bigger bidders.

Changes since Sunday?

The most heated argument in the lineup appears to be what Farke does with the tip of his attack. Georginio Rutter continued his poor form,

but would the manager turn to Joel Piroe or Mateo Joseph instead?

Behind him, Archie Grey was an unexpected inclusion in the first leg.

Will he keep his place? And what about Connor Roberts or Daniel James? Are they remotely sharp enough to try for starting tonight?

A play-off semifinal first?

You’ve probably been reminded enough this week about United’s terrible play-off record.

They have been in the second and third tier lotteries five times and have never been promoted.

There has only been one win at Elland Road in five games, in the second leg of the 1987 Second Division final,

but no home victories in the semi-finals. In 2006, they drew with Preston North End, lost to Carlisle United in 2008,

and drew with Millwall in 2009 and a loss to Derby County in 2019.

Will tonight end that winless streak?

Preventing a second-half slump?

One technique to make Elland Road nervous is to give up possession and territory to visitors for 20 minutes.

While Norwich didn’t accomplish much with it,

there was an odd part of the January match in which Leeds backed off the Canaries and gave them nearly undisturbed possession for the third quarter.

Leeds appeared to have lost confidence and were unable to press Norwich, tackle them,

or piece a pass together when they regained possession.

They were defensively sound and did not give up any key opportunities, but it was unnerving to watch.

Leeds should avoid something similar tonight.

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