'Vulnerable and flaky' Leeds United told pressure is on them in Championship play-off

The pressure will all be on Leeds United when it comes to their Championship play-off semi-final with Norwich City, according to former Canaries striker Chris Sutton.

The two sides go head-to-head over two legs for the right to play the winners of the Southampton vs West Bromwich Albion tie at Wembley at the end of May. But Sutton says it is Daniel Farke and Leeds who have more at stake, and has urged his former side to be brave and take advantage of the Whites tough end to the season.

Leeds had strong hopes of securing an automatic promotion place, but saw that disappear with some poor form in the final weeks of the season, losing to Blackburn. Coventry, Southampton and QPR and only picking up a point against Watford and Sunderland. That allowed Ipswich the chance to take second place, meaning Leeds must now negotiate the play-offs.

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While Farke's men are favourites to win over two legs, Sutton feels the Canaries can even turn the Elland Road faithful against them and use any nerves to their advantage in the second leg, provided they have a positive result from Sunday's first leg.

"Leeds will try to be expansive, but Norwich needs to be brave and try to exploit them," Sutton told the Pink Un. "We cannot have two legs of the same approach deployed away at Leicester. This isn't a time to shirk; it's about stepping up and being brave. Everyone knows what is at stake - go and play.

"There is a greater pressure on Leeds. I used to love playing at Elland Road because of its atmosphere, but that can have a detrimental effect on players because they will be nervous after what's happened at the back end of this season. If Norwich can take a lead into the second leg, I think the Leeds fanbase could turn and be edgy. If I was in the dressing room as a City player, I'd be really fancying this one. What an opportunity.

"It's an added opportunity that it's Daniel Farke. Yes, he's well-liked and respected in Norfolk, but you still want to put him away - especially after two defeats in the regular campaign. Leeds have a vulnerability. Norwich can go into it knowing this is a team that has been flaky and they have to prey on that. They got walloped by QPR, Middlesbrough put three past them Blackburn nicked a win at Elland Road, Coventry beat them, Sunderland got a point against them.

"Why can't Norwich? That is what they should be saying: 'Why not us? Why not now?'. Farke will be really concerned about their drop off in performances. I'm not sure it's going to be that easy to lift them back up. If you're a Leeds player, you're not going into this game with a spring in your step.

"When the going has got tough and competitive at the end of the season, they've fallen away and lost their nerve a bit. That is something that Norwich should be trying to use to their benefit in the play-offs. I even think that Leeds beating Norwich twice this season may not be a bad thing. If I were a player in that dressing room, I'd be thinking that it's about time we beat them'. They are capable of doing so."

Sutton feels Norwich have to win key battles if they are to book their place at Wembley - although has backed Southampton to join Leicester and Ipswich in the Premier League next season.

"The wide areas will be a key battleground. It will be Jack Stacey versus Crysencio Summerville and Sam McCallum or Dimi Giannoulis against Willy Gnoto," he added. "Norwich have to win those battles if they want to come through the two legs.

"These games are about holding your nerve and big moments - that is what Norwich have to do throughout the play-offs. It's good that Norwich have qualified for the play-offs. But now the objective is to get promotion. I'm not someone who thinks now they've made the top six, everything is okay. It's about going up. That has to be the aim.

"I make Southampton favourites for the play-offs. I look at their squad and feel it's the strongest. If Leeds do click, they could be devastating. Norwich have their own threats. West Brom have shown a real consistency. Nobody thinks this is going to be easy. I don't think it's a bad time for Norwich to play Leeds—there are going to be doubts in their minds. Whilst they are favourites, it wouldn't surprise me if City got over the line against them."