Leeds United face Manchester City next time we return to Elland Road, and Pep Guardiola may be without star midfielder Rodri for that fixture.
Up next for Leeds is back-to-back away trips to the city of Birmingham. First is Birmingham City in the FA Cup, before travelling to Aston Villa in the Premier League next weekend.
All focus is currently on the next game ahead in the cup, but the priority remains on staying in the Premier League.
Rodri slapped with FA charge for referee bias suggestion – Could miss Leeds United v Manchester City
After these two away games, Leeds return to Elland Road at the end of February with a tough test against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
Leeds haven’t had much joy against Man City, but the half-time shift from Daniel Farke in the reverse fixture is rightly seen as the moment that our season changed for the better.
In this return clash in West Yorkshire, the Citizens could be without star midfielder and previous Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. That’s because the FA have confirmed a charge for the Spaniard. It comes after comments insinuating unfair officiating, pertaining to FA Rule 3.1.
“I know we won too much and the people don’t want us to win, but the referee has to be neutral,” Rodri said after Man City’s 2-2 draw with Spurs at the beginning of February.
As the Metro point out, there’s little prior history of players being banned for implying refereeing bias. However in May 20, Jurgen Klopp was hit with a two-match suspension for a similar charge.
The FA could seek a strong punishment and therefore, Rodri may face the same fate as the ex-Liverpool boss. In turn, if Rodri is hit with a ban after his appeal period concludes on February 18th, he would be banned for the following two fixtures:
21st Feb: Man City v Newcastle
28th Feb: Leeds United v Man City
Rodri has featured three times at Elland Road. The first being our thrilling 1-1 draw under Marcelo Bielsa, while he scored in the other two, the 4-0 defeat in April 2022 and the 3-1 defeat in December 2022.
Leeds United could be handed massive boost v Manchester City if Rodri is banned
Implying a referee is being biased against your side is a very bold comment and lands Rodri in hot water.
It’s hard to say whether he’s going to face a ban. Although, the fact that Klopp was handed that punishment for similar does suggest he might follow suit.
Ini that case, we could be playing Man City without their vital midfielder. At Elland Road. Under the lights.
Rodri being absent would throw the game much more in our favour. In addition with the confidence we have under the lights, anything could happen.
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