MY ACCOUNT
Manchester City are marching towards yet another Premier League triumph — but in-form Leeds will be aiming to shock the Citizens and boost their survival hopes.
Pep Guardiola’s formidable outfit look almost unstoppable going forward, though they did concede three times against Real Madrid on Tuesday night.
And this evening’s hosts will hope to exploit those defensive vulnerabilities when the teams meet at Elland Road.
So, ahead of the Whites’ clash with table-topping City, we take a look at how Jesse Marsch’s men could put a huge dent in their opponents’ title aspirations.
Flashes of vulnerability
While City’s Premier League defensive record is excellent overall — conceding just 21 times in 33 games this season — Guardiola’s side have shown a tendency to ship goals in bulk.
In all competitions, the reigning champions have conceded three times in a single game on five occasions this term, with two of those instances coming in their last four outings.
When City get it wrong, they are there to be got at — as RB Leipzig, Leicester, Tottenham, Liverpool and Real Madrid can all attest to.
Right-back conundrum
City’s cause is not being helped by injuries, with John Stones ruled out after being forced off early in the 4-3 victory over Los Blancos.
Kyle Walker is a doubt but may be short of match fitness should he feature, while Joao Cancelo only missed the Champions League clash through suspension and will be available — meaning Fernandinho will not be needed as emergency cover again.
Cancelo’s blistering start to the season has given way to some questionable individual form recently, with the Portuguese looking shaky in last weekend’s 5-1 win over Watford.
Guardiola was critical of his entire defence after that match, despite the big win.
He said: “We didn’t defend well, we weren’t aggressive enough. The back four was not good enough.”
Leeds unbeaten in five
Leeds know they will need to be at their best to take advantage of City’s weaknesses, as Marsch has admitted.
He said: “The challenge against Manchester City is like no other.
“We are excited for it and will play brave, but I know how good City are, they are the best team in the world.”
Thankfully for the Whites they are on a strong run at present, winning three and drawing two of their last five games.
They have scored nine and conceded four in that run, keeping clean sheets in their previous two — and will hope to carry that form into a difficult clash against the league leaders.
“We can grind it out”
Following their last outing, a goalless draw against Crystal Palace, Leeds midfielder Kalvin Phillips looked ahead to this encounter and insisted he and his team-mates would work diligently to grind out a result.
He said: “We’ve got tough fixtures [ahead]. From now until the end of the season it was always going to be tough for us.
“You know what you’re getting when you play against Leeds and you know that you’ve got to work as hard as possible and that’s what we do.
“We can grind it out against City in the next game.
“We haven’t lost in the last five games so hopefully we can keep that up.”
Leeds’ wide threat
If Leeds are going to take advantage of any vulnerability that exists in the City rearguard, their wide players will be key.
Raphinha is the club’s top scorer with 10 goals in all competitions, while former Citizen Jack Harrison is close behind the Brazilian with nine.
Cancelo appears more comfortable at left-back despite being naturally right-footed, while Oleksandr Zinchenko is a converted midfielder and is more proficient going forward than defending one-on-one.
It will not be easy but Leeds will believe they can cause an upset that could change the course of the title race — and virtually secure their safety in the process.
