Leeds United face a difficult test as they welcome Manchester City to Elland Road in a huge Premier League clash.
Depending on results earlier in the day, a win could send Leeds fourth whilst Man City could enter the top ten if can take victory.
Team News
Kiko Casilla could feature for Leeds after recovering from an ankle injury suffered against Hull in Carabao Cup Second Round a few weeks ago.
Jack Harrison is ineligible to face Man City after joining on loan from Pep Guardiola’s team in the summer, as Pablo Hernandez (groin), Adam Forshaw (hip) and Gaetano Berardi (knee) remain absent.
Man City could welcome John Stones back from a muscular injury which had kept the defender out of recent matches.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is out after suffering an unspecified injury in training, meaning that the Ukrainian joins Joao Cancelo (foot), Ilkay Gundogan (Coronavirus), Sergio Aguero (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (muscle) on sidelines.
Stat Attack
- Leeds are unbeaten in four of last five league meetings against Manchester City (W3, D1, L1)
- Man City have won just two of seven previous Premier League trips to Elland Road (W2, L5).
- No penalties has been awarded to either team in 14 previous Premier League meetings.
- Robin Koch is the only Leeds player to have made a last man tackle in their opening three league matches this season.
- No Premier League goalkeeper so far this season has made more throw outs than Leeds’ Illan Meslier with 26 throw outs in three matches.
Prediction
Leeds have settled back into the Premier League very nicely with their attacking style of football already troubling two of last season’s strongest teams, which will provide them with confidence coming into a fierce fixture like this against a team of Man City’s stature.
City however have to improve defensively after last weekend’s shambolic performance against Leicester because if they thought the Foxes were brutal, Leeds will be just as tough and it is worth noting that the Citizens lost their first away match last season against a promoted team in form of Norwich.
I therefore do wonder if lightning will strike twice for Pep Guardiola’s City but then they did thrash Burnley in midweek Carabao Cup action, so this definitely will be a competitive clash but given their poor Premier League form at Elland Road, I am going for a home win if Leeds continue their strong form.
Prediction: Leeds United 2-1 Manchester City
Result: Leeds United 1-1 Manchester City