Daniel Farke makes Joel Piroe decision as Leeds United confirm starting XI v Norwich City
Leeds United have confirmed their starting XI for their Championship encounter with Norwich City at Elland Road on Wednesday (24 January).
The Whites head into their Championship clash off of the back of a late 2-1 win over Preston North End thanks to Joel Piroe’s 94th-minute penalty and could close the gap between themselves and the automatic promotion spot to two points with a win.
And Daniel Farke has gone with an unchanged line-up from the team which triumphed on Sunday with £12m Preston match-winner Piroe remaining on the bench again with Patrick Bamford preferred up front for the fourth game in a row.
Willy Gnonto is nowhere to be seen in the 20-man squad, a strange absence after Farke confirmed that he would be available for selection in his press conference on Tuesday (23 January).
Huge opportunity
The Whites may have been fortunate to grab a last-ditch winner against Preston on Sunday but in this gruelling Championship playoff/promotion race, any type of win is absolutely crucial.
Many of the Whites faithful will have been biting their fingernails in those closing stages well up to Piroe’s penalty but it was vital Leeds grabbed the win, even if their all-round display may not have deserved it.
Farke and his men now have the chance to make it 15 home games unbeaten at Elland Road should they avoid defeat against a resurgent Norwich City team and it’s not a surprise to see the German stick to a similar XI.
A win over the Canaries will be just as crucial as Sunday’s victory seeing as David Wagner’s men are enjoying a resurgence and are chasing a playoff place too.
It will be an intriguing tactical battle between the two countrymen who certainly know each other well and Farke must ensure his team are the ones coming out of Elland Road with the three points.
Another huge game for Leeds United but more crucially, a huge opportunity to close the gap between themselves and the automatic promotion place.
In other Leeds United news, a club have been influenced as a transfer decision is made on one Whites player.
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