Premier League title chasers Manchester City dey travel Elland Road to face Leeds United on Saturday evening, hoping to close gap for top. The teams don meet three months ago for Etihad, where Phil Foden stoppage-time strike give City 3-2 win after Leeds fightback.
Match Preview
Leeds don enjoy unbeaten February after 4-0 loss to Arsenal in Jan, picking five points from three PL games (W1 D2) and progress FA Cup fourth round. Highlights include 3-1 home win over Nottingham Forest, 2-2 draw with Chelsea, 1-1 draw at Aston Villa. Anton Stach score 35-yard free kick against Villa, but 88th-minute equaliser cancel am. Leeds only lose two games since Dec, but draw eight times.
Leeds dey notorious for letting leads slip: since 2021-22, dem get just seven clean sheets when scoring first. When 1-0 up first half, dem don concede in 21 straight games. Currently 15th, six points above drop zone, but struggle at home against Man City: last five PL meetings lost, although W7 D5 L4 in previous 16 games.
Man City recently dey back in title race after comeback win vs Liverpool at Anfield, then wins vs Fulham and Newcastle. Nico O’Reilly scored twice in 2-1 win over Newcastle last weekend. Arsenal still lead by five points but City get game in hand. City strong vs newly-promoted sides: won 24 of last 27 PL games against them, lost only once recently to Leeds in April 2021. Concede 2+ goals in just three of last 52 top-flight matches vs promoted sides (two vs Leeds, one vs Norwich City).
Team News
Leeds: Noah Okafor dey out (hamstring, 2-4 weeks), Gabriel Gudmundsson fit play after illness. Farke likely stick five-at-back system: Justin, Rodon, Struijk at centre-back; Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle wing-backs. Anton Stach play advanced central role with Brenden Aaronson. Dominic Calvert-Lewin expected upfront.
Man City: Josko Gvardiol (tibial fracture) and Mateo Kovacic (ankle/heel) out. Jeremy Doku (calf) fitness assessment pending. Max Alleyne (knock) dey training. Nico O’Reilly continue midfield with Rodri and Bernardo Silva. Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki contend for attack alongside Semenyo or Marmoush. Erling Haaland aiming to score more than two goals in consecutive away PL visits to Elland Road.
Possible Lineups
Leeds United: Darlow; Justin, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Gruev, Gudmundsson; Stach, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin
Manchester City: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait-Nouri; Rodri, O’Reilly; Bernardo, Foden; Semenyo, Haaland
Prediction
Leeds United 2-2 Manchester City
City go favorites, given form and quality, but Leeds dey tricky at home and fit cause upset. Goals go plenty, but expect City no go secure win on this occasion.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.