Leeds United vs Manchester City Preview:
Possible starting lineups:
Leeds United:
Klaesson; Kristensen, Cooper, Koch, Struijk; Roca, Forshaw; Aaronson, Rodrigo, Harrison; Gelhardt
Manchester City:
Ederson; Walker, Stones, Akanji, Cancelo; Gundogan, Rodri, De Bruyne; B. Silva, Haaland, Foden
Leeds United welcome the reigning champions Manchester City at Elland Road on Wednesday night. This match is very important for both teams, particularly for Pep Guardiola's side. They are eight points adrift of the table-topping Arsenal, while the Whites have 15 points, just two points away from the relegation zone. Leeds have improved before the World Cup break and recorded two victories on the last three matches in the Premier League. One of these two wins was spectacular as it came at Anfield. The Whites did something extraordinary and beat Liverpool 2:1 in October. Crysencio Summerville was the hero after scoring the injury-time winner at Anfield. The Dutchman also bagged last-minute winner against Bournemouth. Jesse Marsch's men played very good against Tottenham and scored three goals in London, but lost 4:3 at the end. The players confidence is high, but Marsch has some injury and suspension worries. Tyler Adams is banned, while Stuart Dallas and Archie Gray are long-term injury victims. Luis Sinisterra is also out injured. A significant number of players are rated as doubtful: first-choice goalkeeper Illan Meslier, Patrick Bamford, Crysencio Summerville, Rodrigo, Liam Cooper, Jack Harrison and Mateusz Klich.
Manchester City are huge seven points behind the leaders Arsenal. As You probably know, the Gunners won 3:1 against West Ham on Monday night, but the reigning champions could reduce the difference if they obtain a positive result here. The Citizens have returned to action last week when won 3:2 against Liverpool in EFL Cup. It was an eventful match and Pep Guardiola's side secured the victory thanks to goals scored by Erling Haaland, Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Ake. It was a deserved victory against the biggest rivals and the atmosphere in the squad is excellent. Nevertheless, City players must remain focused against Leeds. Last season Manchester won both fixtures with aggregate 11:0, but the Whites managed to upset the favorites in the 2020-21, impressively prevented City from winning either of their two fixtures that season. Pep has most of the players ready, only three are unavailable. Two of them are struggling with injury, one is still celebrating the World Cup title. Midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who recently recovered from shoulder surgery, and the Portuguese central defender Ruben Dias, who sustained a hamstring injury in the World Cup quarter-final loss to Morocco, are sidelined. The Argentina striker Julian Alvarez will not return before January 2023.
Leeds United vs Manchester City Prediction:
I expect Manchester City to win this match. Since the odds for a straight victory are too low, I will suggest handicap. Last season the Citizens won both games, recording two high victories - a 7:0 win at Etihad and a 4:0 triumph at Elland Road eight months ago. The reigning champions are class above the Whites and I expect another high victory for the guests. In addition, Leeds have some injury and suspension problems.
Leeds United vs Manchester City Pick: Manchester City -1.5 AH @ 1.77 with
Everygame