Free betting tips: Sky Bet Championship - Leeds United v Norwich City
The highlight of the Sky Bet EFL weekend comes in the late kick-off as Leeds welcome Norwich to Elland Road. Tom Carnduff has two best bets.
Recommended bets
1pt Jack Harrison to score anytime at 9/2
1pt Luke Ayling to score anytime at 12/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Leeds v Norwich (Elland Road, 1730 GMT, Sky Sports Football)
The highlight of the Sky Bet EFL weekend comes in the late kick-off as Leeds welcome Norwich to Elland Road.
Ahead of the 3pm games, these two sides occupy the top spots in the Championship and victory for the home side can open up a six-point gap on their opponents.
An unlikely Bolton win away at Sheffield United could also potentially move Leeds nine points clear of third, although Marcelo Bielsa will be more focused on creating distance between his side and their main title rivals.
The Whites had hoped to add Swansea's Daniel James to their squad on deadline day, but uncertainty at the Swans and an inability to make the decision led to the deal being pulled at the last minute - that's despite the player wanting the move.
Leeds had already addressed their main issue in January though with the impressive signing of Real Madrid goalkeeper Kiko Casilla. As ever, Bielsa has named his starting XI two days before the game with Casilla in and no plans to include James had he signed.
One standout player for Leeds in the wide positions in recent weeks has been Jack Harrison, with the Manchester City loanee grasping the opportunity having been given a starting role in this side.
I tipped him as an anytime goalscorer in their win over Rotherham, and while he did not get on the scoresheet himself, he provided an assist, came close to scoring and put in a man of the match performance.
That showing is enough to justify taking the 9/2 available here. He netted in their last home game, a 2-0 win over Derby, and has demonstrated an ability to look for goal when the opportunity presents itself.
The wide areas have been quite influential for Leeds this season and Harrison starting allows Jack Clarke to provide an impact from the bench if required. He's a player to consider for an in-play stats-based bet if he does enter the action.
Gjanni Alioski has enjoyed life at left-back and Tyler Roberts playing more centrally should allow Pablo Hernandez the freedom to drift out wide. The right and left flanks could be crucial.
Another goal could come from an unlikely source and Luke Ayling is also worth considering to strike anytime at a price of 12/1. Despite lining up in the right-back position, he is a player who looks to have enjoyed the fluidity of the Bielsa system.
He has only recently returned to the starting line-up following a lengthy injury lay off that saw him miss over two months of the season. He grabbed a goal in the win over Rotherham at Elland Road and nearly scored again with three shots in their reverse fixture at the New York Stadium last time out.
What the above heat map highlights is that, while the majority of his touches of the ball came in the right-back, right-midfield and right-wing positions, there were occasions where he would drift into central areas.
Ayling had opportunities with the ball at the edge of the Rotherham area. Two of his shots came from around the 20 yards mark, one of which was blocked and the other went narrowly wide.
His third shot came from nearer the penalty spot, although that went wide with little threat to the goalkeeper. While he may not have scored, then, it shows that he has the freedom to roam when he can.
Leeds are a best-price of even money with a couple of bookmakers, and they're very tempting at that.
The whole 'Spygate' saga has benefited Leeds more than anything, and not in the way you'd imagine. It's created that siege mentality around Elland Road, something that the Leeds faithful love.
We saw it in the game against Derby. The atmosphere was extraordinary and it made it an incredibly tough place for the away side to play. It was clear that it also gave Leeds a lift as they outworked the Rams in every department.
Expect a similar atmosphere on Saturday night, especially given how Norwich were seemingly one of those side signed on the infamous letter to the EFL.
Score prediction: Leeds 3-1 Norwich (Sky Bet odds: 14/1)
Best bet: Jack Harrison to score anytime at 9/2
Best bet: Luke Ayling to score anytime at 12/1
Opta facts
- Leeds are looking to complete a league double over Norwich for the first time since the 1980-81 season.
- Norwich have won just one of their last nine visits to Leeds in all competitions (D4 L4), a 2-0 win in April 2015.
- Leeds have lost three of their last five Championship games (W2), as many as they had in their previous 25 in the competition (W16 D6 L3).
- Norwich have lost just one of their last 17 Championship matches (W10 D6), and are unbeaten in their last 12 on the road (W6 D6).
- Leeds’ Pablo Hernandez (11) has provided more assists than any other Championship player this season.
- Norwich’s Teemu Pukki has been directly involved in 16 goals in his last 14 league games (12 goals, 4 assists).
Odds correct at 1550 GMT (01/02/19)
Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC
Related football links
MOST READ FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL TIPS
