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Championship play-off semi-finals are finely poised after goalless draws in the first leg

The Championship play-off semi-finals are finely poised after both games ended as goalless draws in the first leg on Sunday.

The clash between Norwich City and Leeds United was a tight affair with neither side managing to create many goalscoring opportunities. 

Junior Firpo thought he had broken the deadlock on the half-hour mark but his strike was ruled out for a marginal offside by Georginio Rutter in the build-up. 

The hosts also threatened to score, with Marcelino Nunez firing wide of the left post. 

Both teams had to settle for a draw with everything to play for in the second leg at Elland Road on Thursday. 

Sports Fanfare put Leeds among the top three favourites to earn Premier League promotion at the start of the season, but a spectacular late collapse saw them finish third with 90 points.   

The Whites are slight favourites due to their home advantage, but David Wagner is confident of Norwich’s chances in the second leg. 

There was also nothing to separate in the other game between West Bromwich Albion and Southampton. 

The best chance of the match fell to Grady Diangana, whose effort was brilliantly saved by Alex McCarthy. 

Flynn Downes also failed to hit the target, but Alex Palmer saved his effort. 

Carlos Corberan’s side will now travel to the south coast to take on the Saints at St Mary’s on Friday. 

Related TopicsChampionship Leeds United Norwich City Southampton West Bromwich Albion

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