Leeds United 1 Aston Villa 2: Lee Sobot's YEP video verdict
Early team news, predicted line-up and coverage details as Leeds United take on Manchester City at the Etihad.
Leeds United face the first of three consecutive huge tests against Premier League giants at Manchester City today in the club’s ongoing quest to survive their first season back in the country’s top flight.
The two teams approach the contest sat at opposite ends of the table, newly-promoted Leeds third-bottom having fallen into the division’s relegation zone for the first time this season following three defeats on the spin.
City sit third, one point behind second-placed Chelsea and seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal who visit Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
Here, upon landing at the Etihad Stadium, we will bring you all of the pre-match build-up followed by confirmed starting line-ups and then in-game updates, analysis and reaction.
In the meantime, here is the early team news for the 3pm kick-off which is not being broadcast on TV.
Today’s clash against Pep Guardiola’s third-placed side is followed by Wednesday night’s hosting of Chelsea and next Saturday evening’s Elland Road visit of Liverpool.
Leeds team news
Boss Daniel Farke will have to make at least two changes to his side due to midfielders Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff being out injured.
Farke revealed at Thursday’s pre-match press conference that regular starter Longstaff had suffered a calf injury in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa and was facing four to six weeks out.
That meant a double blow for Farke and his midfield following Stach’s withdrawal against Villa after the German suffered a blow to the head after challenging keeper Emi Martinez for Lukas Nmecha’s goal.
Stach attempted to play on but was eventually taken off and the German must now miss Saturday’s trip to the Etihad due to concussion protocols.
Belgian international defender Sebastiaan Bornauw is also a doubt having missed training this week due to MCL problems.
Willy Gnonto, though, is now back in the mix having bagged his first minutes since September from the bench in last weekend’s defeat to Aston Villa after recovering from calf issues and then minor hernia surgery.
Predicted Leeds line-up: Perri; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Ampadu, Gruev, Tanaka; Aaronson, Okafor, Nmecha.
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