Championship Playoff semi-finals preview: Promotion race kicks-off!

The excitement is building as the Championship playoff semi-finals approach, we delve into the exciting matchups this weekend, with Norwich taking on Leeds and West Brom facing Southampton.

We examine each side’s chances in the opening legs of these important matches as Sunday draws near.

Norwich v Leeds – 12th May 12:00

In the opening semi-final, Leeds United venture to Carrow Road to take on David Wagner’s Norwich City. While Leeds once appeared destined for automatic promotion, their recent form has been lacklustre, securing just one win in their last five matches. Norwich City’s form displays a similar trend, managing to collect three points only once in their last five games. With both teams potentially affected by the certainty of playoff football, form may prove unpredictable in these high-stakes one-off semi-finals.

Both Norwich and Leeds have been in the Premier League recently, with Leeds only being relegated last year, so they both know how it feels to be promoted and the experience will prove beneficial in these high-pressure games. Leeds find themselves as 11/10 favourites to win the first leg, most probably as they finished 17 points clear of Norwich City. The home team are 23/10 to get a result to take to Leeds.

Norwich City attacker Josh Sargent has been in terrific form this season, having had his most fruitful year for the club to date, with 16 goals. Sargent is 23/10 to score in the first leg of the playoffs against Leeds. The Yorkshire club have the Championship player of the season, Crysencio Summerville, within their attacking artillery. Having scored 20 goals this season and set up 10 goals, there would be no surprise to see him involved in any of the goals. Summerville is also 23/10 to score in the first leg.

West Brom v Southampton – 12th May 14:15

The second semi-final to take place on Sunday is fourth versus fifth. West Brom host Southampton in what will be a tightly fought affair. The odds also suggest this, as West Brom are 7/4, with Southampton marginal favourites at 29/20. Similarly to the other semi, both these teams have been in the top-flight in recent years and they will be pushing to get back there so we can expect the usual end to end playoff filled with drama.

West Brom couldn’t have finished the regular season in better style with a simple 3-0 victory against Preston, and they will be full of confidence going into this first leg. Southampton will also be full of confidence after winning 2-1 away from home at fellow play-off competitors Leeds, who they could find themselves up against at Wembley come the final.

West Brom have been in fine scoring form, with Brandon Thomas-Asante topping the goalscorer list with 12. He is 23/10 to net anytime in the opening leg of this semi-final tie. As for Southampton, they have had two players who have scored a lot of goals over the course of the season – Adam Armstrong with 21 and Ché Adams 18 goals. Armstrong is the favourite in the match to score anytime at 21/10 with Adams 9/4 to net against West Brom.

Check out all the latest football betting odds at William Hill