Sunday 8th March 4:30pm |Elland Road
Leeds United play hosts to an in‑form Norwich City side at Elland Road this Sunday in the 5th round of the FA Cup. The Canaries have won nine of their last eleven outings across the Championship and the cup, but a string of injuries to striker Jovon Makama and midfielder Mohamed Toure (out with muscle and leg problems), while centre‑backs Shane Duffy and loanee Harry Amass are side lined with thigh and hamstring issues, means Canaries boss Philippe Clement have to be creative with his starting XI.
Leeds have had a relatively easy cup run so far, edging past Derby County and Birmingham City in previous rounds to set up Sundays game, but it poses a massive dilemma. Leeds would likely steamroll Norwich with a full strength side, but are currently walking a relegation tightrope. With a notably thin squad and fatigue setting in, the Whites need to remain fully focused on the bigger picture with Daniel Farke admitting “If we can progress, great, but not at the expense of the league,” he said, underscoring the fine line between cup romance and relegation‑battle reality.
The Leeds gaffer will be watching from the stands after picking up a one‑match ban for his post‑match red card against Manchester City. Farke, who first made his mark in English football with the Canaries, joked that the punishment was “because I looked a bit scary when I jogged,” but he made it clear he’s not appealing the suspension. “There was no bad language, no insult, the red card shouldn’t stand, but I’ve accepted the ban to avoid dragging the issue out,” he explained. He also confirmed that striker Noah Okafor is still not training and will miss Sunday, though the rest of the squad is expected to be fit.
Despite the disappointment of missing the bench against his former club, Farke praised Norwich’s recent form. “Norwich gave me my first opportunity in the UK, they’ll always have a special place in my heart. I’m confident in my staff; they can do it,” he said, adding that the Canaries now have the luxury of focusing solely on the cup, free from the Premier League distractions that plague his Leeds side.
