Both teams are vying for a spot in the final at Wembley later this month, where they will face either Southampton or West Bromwich Albion. Norwich, led by Daniel Farke, enters this match following a 2-1 defeat against Southampton on the final day of the regular Championship season at Elland Road.
Adam Armstrong and Will Smallbone were the goal scorers for the away team, earning them all three points. Considering this, the German head coach might consider making some adjustments to the starting XI for the upcoming match against the Canaries.
Farke should be cautious of Gabriel Sara’s threat in the midfield for the home team and might opt to start Archie Gray to counter the talented Brazilian effectively.
Who Archie Gray should replace
Leeds should decisively move Ilia Gruev to the bench for the upcoming match in Norfolk, creating room for the young sensation to rejoin the starting lineup. In the recent 2-1 loss to Southampton, Beren Cross of LeedsLive gave Gruev a match rating of 4/10, noting that the former Bundesliga player seemed out of sync and lacking sharpness.
This rating followed a disappointing performance by the Bulgaria international at Loftus Road against QPR in the previous game, where Cross rated him a dismal 2/10. Cross highlighted Gruev’s minimal impact in midfield as a significant concern for the team during that match.
In those recent games, Gruev struggled in ground duels, losing nine out of ten, making it easy for opponents to dominate him in midfield. He managed only two tackles and one interception across both matches, indicating a lack of form to effectively counter one of the league’s top midfielders.
Gruev’s defensive contributions were notably lacking against QPR, where he failed to close down opponents quickly enough for their first two goals. His overall defensive play in possession was also weak in both fixtures, highlighting his struggles to maintain effectiveness on the pitch.
Why Leeds must stop Gabriel Sara
Sara, the Brazilian standout, was Norwich’s sole representative in the Championship Team of the Season, alongside players like Ethan Ampadu, Georginio Rutter, and Crysencio Summerville. His skill set poses a significant threat to Leeds, especially considering that no central midfielder from Leeds scored more than one goal or provided more than three assists during the regular season in the second tier. In contrast, Sara demonstrated his versatility by excelling as both a goal scorer and a creator for Norwich.
| 23/24 Championship | Gabriel Sara |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 46 |
| Sofascore rating | 7.66 |
| xG | 6.41 |
| Goals | 13 |
| xA | 11.93 |
| Assists | 12 |
| Big chances created | 16 |
| Stats via Sofascore | |
As shown in the table, Sara has been incredibly influential, contributing to 25 goals directly in 46 appearances as a central midfielder for Norwich in the second division. He often partners with Kenny McLean, who was reportedly a target for Leeds last summer. Sara’s impressive stats place him in the top 4% of Championship midfielders for Expected Assisted Goals per 90 (0.26), the top 5% for shot-creating actions per 90 (4.96), and the top 6% for non-penalty goals per 90 (0.29).
These numbers highlight why it’s crucial for Leeds to neutralize Sara’s impact both at Carrow Road and Elland Road. He has the ability to single-handedly change the outcome of a match.
Therefore, Farke should consider deploying Gray in the holding midfield role alongside Kamara, while dropping Gruev to the bench. Gray has the potential to effectively counter Sara’s influence and disrupt his rhythm during the game.
Why Leeds should start Archie Gray
Firstly, the 18-year-old star should be unleashed as his recent form in physical duels suggests he is more likely to come out on top in a battle with Sara, whereas the Bulgarian lightweight has lost nine of his last ten on the deck.
Over his last three appearances for Leeds in the Championship, Gray has won nine of 12 duels in the middle of the park and this suggests that he has the physicality and positioning to dominate opposition players in physical contests.
| 23/24 Championship | Archie Gray |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 44 |
| Starts | 40 |
| Tackles per game | 2.1 |
| Ball recoveries per game | 4.5 |
| Duel success rate | 55% |
| Ground duel success rate | 57% |
| Stats via Sofascore | |
As you can see in the table above, the 6 foot 2 stopper has won the majority of his duels in the Championship so far this season, which shows how strong he has been in battles against opposition players.
Overall, Gray has the defensive and physical abilities to offer a solid presence at the base of the midfield to put a stop to Sara’s wizardry for the Canaries, which is why he should start in an attempt to limit the Brazilian star’s influence on the game, and Gruev should be dropped to make way for him.
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