Leeds United have now reached the climax of the 2023/24 campaign as they prepare to take on Norwich City in the first leg of the play-offs this afternoon.
The Whites travel to Norfolk to take on the Canaries at Carrow Road as they attempt to take an advantage back to Elland Road for the second leg next Thursday night.
They are both competing to secure a place in the final at Wembley later this month, where they will either face Southampton or West Bromwich Albion.
Daniel Farke’s men come into this clash with Norwich off the back of a 2-1 defeat to the Saints on the final day of the regular Championship season at Elland Road.
Adam Armstrong and Will Smallbone scored the goals for the away side to secure all three points, and the German head coach could make some changes to the starting XI from that game to prepare for the Canaries.
Farke must be wary of the threat Gabriel Sara poses in the middle of the park for the home side and should unleash Archie Gray from the start to stop the talented Brazilian.
Who Archie Gray should replace
Leeds must ruthlessly drop Ilia Gruev to the bench for this clash in Norfolk to make space for the teenage sensation to return to the starting lineup.
In the 2-1 loss to Southampton, LeedsLive reporter Beren Cross handed Gruev a match rating of 4/10 for his performance, writing that the ex-Bundesliga maestro looked off the pace and rusty.
That came after the Bulgaria international had a dismal night at Loftus Road away at QPR in the previous match. Cross awarded the lightweight a horrendous match rating of just 2/10, citing his lack of presence in midfield as one of the key issues for the side on the night.