Daniel Farke's inside scoop and undeniable gap between Leeds United and Norwich set the agenda

Leeds United are set to face Norwich City in the first leg of the Championship play-off semi-finals this weekend. The clash will take place at Carrow Road on Sunday.

The Whites last featured in the push for promotion via the play-offs back in the 2018/19 season, where Marcelo Bielsa's side were left stunned by a late comeback from Frank Lampard's Derby County at Elland Road.

Leeds won the first fixture 1-0 away from home but then suffered a 4-2 defeat in front of their home crowd, as substitute Jack Marriott fired his side into the final with a goal in the 85th minute.

Despite disappointment in the play-offs, Leeds secured the league title in the following season and ascended into the top flight of English football for the 2020/21 season. However, after suffering relegation last season, the club are once again searching for promotion back into the Premier League.

While the pressure of the game will likely always be a factor, Daniel Farke's side have several reasons to be confident heading into this monumental game.

Here at LeedsLive, we've gathered all the reasons why the fanbase, players and staff should be feeling confident ahead of the game.

Mind the gap

Despite the disappointment of missing out on automatic promotion to Ipswich Town on the last day of the season, Leeds can take some confidence from the position they achieved in the league table.

A tally of 90 points is a mammoth total from Farke's side, which would have secured a spot in the top two in 50 per cent of the last four seasons. It is also 17 more points than Norwich recorded throughout the campaign, which is a sizeable gap between the two sides.

Leeds can show their quality in the two legs of this fixture. If they play how the fans, players and manager know they are capable of, they should overwhelm their upcoming opponents.

Double delight

As if the points and league position weren't enough to go by, Leeds have already shown their dominance against David Wagner's side this season.

A 3-2 win at Carrow Road, which is the venue for the first leg on Sunday, in October and a 1-0 win at home in January. Leeds know how to beat this team and having that mental edge over them could be crucial on Sunday.

Football doesn't always unfold predictably but any individual that had to choose between the two teams would lean towards the side who secured all six points in the last two meetings.

Read more: Out-of-sorts Leeds United, the form myth and why Norwich should be on alert

Star man Summerville

It comes as no surprise that Leeds did win both fixtures against Norwich when you consider the talents they have in their ranks. And they don't get much better than Crysencio Summerville.

Winner of the 2023/24 Championship Player of the Season, Summerville gets into every side in the league and is also attracting interest from top clubs within the Premier League. His 19 goals and nine assists were crucial for Leeds this season and Norwich have even felt the full force of his talents, after the winger scored a brace against them during the win away from home in October.

Summerville himself is also brimming with confidence, after making the following statement while accepting his award. "I'm on another level than before," he said.

"The manager plays a big role and I'm happy with the manager and how he treats the players. We have a young group but it's been a good season so far.

"When we went down, I thought I was going to stay at Leeds and help the team to get back to where they belong and I'm happy I can help the team with my assists and goals. The Championship is very difficult and it's very tough but I am enjoying it because I like games."

Fortress Elland Road

As previously noted, football doesn't always unfold as everyone predicts. It's part of the reason we love it - but it can strike fear in doubt in the most confident of teams. Carrow Road will be bouncing on Sunday and coming away with any kind of result - whether it's a win or draw - will be tough.

Even if Leeds lose the fixture, the players can take comfort from the fact that the Elland Road crowd will be right behind them in the second leg. At the very least, if the Whites keep Norwich within touching distance after the first fixture, the home stadium advantage could drag them into the final.

Fantastic Farke

Last but certainly not least, Daniel Farke. The German has managed over 200 games in his coaching career and has also secured the Championship title on two different occasions with Norwich.

It's his first taste of the play-offs but it won't faze him. He's familiar with Carrow Road, having spent four years there as manager. He admitted that the first game returning to the club earlier this season in October was emotional, however, the second game was 'business as usual' at Elland Road. Expect more of the same this weekend.

“It’s a bit special. My first return to Carrow Road as an opposition manager was quite emotional. The second game felt a bit like business as normal,” Farke said on facing his former club again.

“I will always be grateful to this club for fantastic memories and a great time. It’s always good to be able to re-meet some nice, friendly and kind people over there, but my only focus right now [is Leeds].

“It feels like this team is the third-best team in the league, we deserve to reward ourselves with promotion. This is my only focus. I want to promote with this team because this group, supporters and club deserve it. This is my only thought right now, so there won’t be much time to be overly emotional or think about saying hello to some people. It’s more like a normal game."