Manchester City welcome Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium in a tasty Premier League clash.
Victory will move Man City 17 points clear at the summit ahead of Manchester United, whereas Leeds can climb as high as ninth with a win.
Team News
Man City have no fresh injury concerns to report after Tuesday’s Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund.
Leeds will be without Jack Harrison who is ineligible to face his parent club due to terms of his loan conditions.
Adam Forshaw remains absent with a long-term hip injury.
Stat Attack
- Man City have claimed just five points from their last five league meetings against Leeds (W1, D2, L2).
- Leeds have drawn four of their last six away league matches at City (W1, D4, L1).
- City’s Riyad Mahrez has scored three goals in two of his last three league appearances at home.
- Three of Leeds’ last four away goals have come after half time.
- City won their only previous home clash refereed by Andre Marriner this season, defeating Newcastle 2-0 on Boxing Day.
Prediction
Man City will be relieved to have started their run-in with two hard fought wins after a packed international window, having followed up last Saturday’s league win at Leicester with a strong dominant performance against Dortmund in midweek so will definitely expect more of the same here.
Leeds meanwhile continue to often waste chances as saw against Sheffield United last Saturday, despite showing signs of consistently positive passing play in build-up to creating their chances which they will need to be clinical with here against fierce opposition.
Add in Leeds’ strong away form at City then a well drilled draw could be on the cards here, although I do feel that this City team should have enough to take all three points given Leeds’ inconsistency on the road in recent months.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Leeds United
Result: Manchester City 1-2 Leeds United