Mens

Preview: Leeds United vs Manchester City

A look ahead to Saturday's clash!

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Leeds United are back at Elland Road and facing top of the table Manchester City on Saturday night, in a 5:30pm kick-off.

Both teams come into the game with an identical record over their last five matches, with three wins and two draws each, and both have plenty to play for over their remaining five fixtures if they want to achieve the respective targets set of them!

The Whites are aiming to move clear of the relegation places and extend the gap to Everton, which is currently five points, whilst visitors City are hoping to put a gap over a Merseyside outfit of their own, Liverpool, which currently stands at one point at the top of the league.

This fixture in West Yorkshire last season saw an entertaining 1-1 draw played out between the two teams, in a match that was entertaining and fast paced throughout.

Pep Guardiola’s side come into the game after a thrilling Champions League semi-final first leg at home to Real Madrid in midweek, which saw the Citizens win the match 4-3. City are competing for a Premier League and Champions League double, meaning there is plenty to play for!

The Whites are aiming to extend their unbeaten run which currently stands at five games. A draw with Crystal Palace earlier in the week made it back-to-back clean sheets for Jesse Marsch’s team, who have won two out of their last three on home turf.

The visitors have well-known threats all over the pitch and Leeds will know the quality of each player. There has been no specific stand-out goalscorer for the league leaders this season, with goals shared around the squad, but Kevin De Bruyne and Riyad Mahrez lead the charts with 11 each.

There is likely to be Brazilian flair on show in the match. Raphinha will be hoping to add to his 10 goals so far this season for Leeds, whilst Gabriel Jesus comes into the match with sky-high confidence for City, having netted four teams in the win over Watford last weekend.

The man in the middle on Saturday evening will be Paul Tierney. The official has overseen 30 matches this season in all competitions, showing 106 yellow cards, along with two reds. The referee was also in charge earlier this season when the teams met at the Etihad Stadium, in a match Leeds will not want to remember.

Saturday’s clash has been selected for live television coverage on Sky Sports. Live commentary is available as always through LUTV. Alternatively, stay right here on leedsunited.com for updates throughout the match.

Manager/head coach:

Leeds: Jesse Marsch

Man City: Pep Guardiola

What has Jesse Marsch said, ahead of the match?

“We’re excited for a big match. It’s the best team in the world against the best club in the world. I think it’s an ultimate test, maybe the ultimate test, I am very honest when I say they’re best in world.”

League position

Leeds: 16th

Man City: 1st

Premier League form

Leeds: WWDWD

Man City: DWDWW

Top scorer

Leeds: Raphinha (10)

Man City: Kevin De Bruyne & Riyad Mahrez (11)

Head to head

Leeds: 43

Draws: 18

Man City: 46

A memorable moment against City…

Team news

Jesse Marsch will continue to be without Adam Forshaw, Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts, whilst Crysencio Summerville has also been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign with injury.

For City, defensive pairing John Stones and Kyle Walker have got injuries of their own and will miss the game. Pep Guardiola has plenty of options available to him and Joao Cancelo is likely to be one of them back in the side, after being suspended midweek.

Officials

Referee - Paul Tierney

Assistant Referee - Constantine Hatzidakis

Assistant Referee - Neil Davies

Fourth Official - David Coote

Video Assistant Referee - Darren England

A key battle

Stuart Dallas v Joao Cancelo

Take a look at some key stats between two key players on each side, who could be facing one another in the full-back positions on Saturday evening.

Latest odds

Leeds: 9/1

Draw: 9/2

Man City: 2/7

How to watch

The match has been selected for television broadcast coverage on Sky Sports. Live commentary is available as always on LUTV, with blog updates throughout, on leedsunited.com.

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