Championship play-off semi-finals

As the 2024 Championship playoffs approach, the stage is set for an intense battle among four formidable teams: Leeds United, Southampton, West Bromwich Albion, and Norwich City. Each team has demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the season, earning their place in this critical phase of the competition. These four teams will fight for a Championship play-off final tickets in an attempt to get into the Premier League.

Semi-Final Fixtures Overview

• May 12: Norwich City vs Leeds United
• May 12: West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton
• May 16: Leeds United vs Norwich City
• May 17: Southampton vs West Bromwich Albion

Team Performance

Leeds United

Finished the regular season strongly in third place, showing a consistent form that saw them secure victories in three of their last five matches. Their attack has been spearheaded by dynamic forward play, contributing to a season tally of 81 goals.

Southampton

Finished fourth, edged out their competitors with a slightly better goal difference and a knack for securing points in crucial matches. Their season was marked by an offensive strategy that led them to score 87 goals, the highest among the playoff contenders.

West Bromwich Albion

Positioned fifth, displayed a robust defensive setup throughout the season but struggled in some matches to convert chances. Despite these challenges, their balanced play saw them through to the playoffs.

Norwich City

The underdogs in sixth place, managed to squeeze into the playoffs. Their journey was marked by ups and downs, but key victories in the final stages of the season proved crucial in their qualification.

Previous encounters

In previous meetings during the regular season:

• Leeds secured a victory over Norwich in their latest encounter, a game that ended 1-0, showcasing Leeds' defensive resilience.
• Southampton has had the upper hand in their matches against West Brom, winning the most recent game 2-1 and showing they can come out on top in high-pressure situations.

Norwich City vs Leeds United

Norwich City faces off against Leeds United in a critical first leg of the semi-finals. Norwich, the underdogs, have shown moments of brilliance this season and will look to capitalize on home advantage. Their strategy will likely focus on defensive solidity and exploiting counter-attacks. Leeds United, known for their attacking power, finished the season not in their best form. With 4 points from their last five matches, they ruined their chances of finishing in the top 2. It will be interesting to see if they can regain form for this important part of the season.

West Bromwich Albion vs Southampton

West Bromwich Albion hosts Southampton in what is expected to be a fiercely contested match. West Brom, with a dependable defense but occasional struggles in finishing, will need to step up their offensive game. Southampton, on the other hand, boasts the best attacking record among the playoff contenders and will look to exploit any gaps in the West Brom defense. In their last meeting, Southampton edged out a 2-1 victory, suggesting another close encounter. For a brief moment Southampton was in contention for direct promotion, but with three losses in their last four games, a ticket for the Championship play-offs was the only thing left.