Leeds United fans are in disagreement over Saturday evening’s visit of title-chasing Manchester City.
KEITH INGHAM
Leeds United face another of their toughest opponents in a recent run which has seen only two defeats in 14 games.
City beat Leeds 3-2 at the start of that run but they took a lot of credit after losing to a last-minute goal by Phil Foden.
Leeds have kept a six-point gap to the dreaded 18th place with some creditable results including draws at Liverpool, Chelsea and Villa and wins against Chelsea and Palace at home.
Under the lights at Elland Road, Leeds are a different ‘beast’. They are unbeaten in over 20 games when night falls and the lights shine brightly in Beeston.
Without a shadow of a doubt, Leeds will have to be at their best to continue this unbeaten run.
City are unbeaten in their last six league and cup games, winning five of them. They are well placed in all four competitions and are Carabao Cup finalists.
Not many will expect anything but a City win by at least a couple of goals but other teams have found out that at home when Leeds have the bit between their teeth they can surprise even the best.
I’m not expecting a win, but I am expecting Leeds to put on a good show for a full house in Leeds 11.
Who knows what could happen if they get their noses in front.
Prediction: Leeds United 1 Manchester City 3 (head) 1-0 (heart).
“We may have to rely on a few more results going our way”
DAVID WATKINS
After the slightly disappointing but ultimately valuable point we achieved at Villa Park last weekend, it’s a shame we have to follow it with a visit from Manchester City; it would have been nice to face a mid-table side and get three more points on the board.
As it is, I fear we may have to rely on a few more results going our way if we are to come out of this next round of games as secure as we currently are.
City are not unbeatable by any means, as we showed back in November when we “won” the second half against them, but they have a habit of playing their best football at the sharp end of the season when they get the scent of a trophy or two.
They are also vastly more experienced than we are of grinding out results under pressure.
Leeds will have to be at their very best and remain error free for 90 minutes and more to get even a point from this one, and we’ll probably need a helping hand from Lady Luck too.
This isn’t one of the games we have to win, that will start next Tuesday when Sunderland come to town and, as long as we don’t get hammered, no real damage should be done.
Prediction: Leeds United 1 Manchester City 3.
“He will be needed again”
ANDY RHODES
With a good point on the road last week at Aston Villa, Leeds return to Elland Road to face an even tougher test.
Manchester City are resurgent after it looked for a while like Arsenal would romp home to the Premier League title.
City have won five on the bounce in all competitions and are ready to pounce if the Gunners slip up further.
Leeds will need to be at their best to get anything from this game. They will need all their star players to perform well, and perhaps a huge slice of luck as well.
That’s not to say the Whites aren’t capable, we’ve seen on multiple occasions this season they can spring a shock.
Anton Stach is proving himself to be more important in each game he plays.
His set piece ability makes him a threat and, with this being another game in which set pieces will be key, he will be needed again.
If Leeds can keep their run going and get another point on the board, we will all go home happy.
Prediction: Leeds United 0 Manchester City 3.
“Leeds have discovered new pages”
NEIL GREWER
Leeds United will approach this game in confident mood following performances since the half-time interval of the Manchester City away fixture.
Since that game at the Etihad, Leeds have discovered new pages in the tactics handbook and arguably added pages, and whilst our points haul should have been higher, it has still exceeded expectations.
Unfortunately, City have also seen an upturn in form and whilst goals have dried up a little for the big Yorkshireman up front, the rest of the team are chipping in.
Last time Leeds managed big Erling Haaland extremely well but on Saturday I fear threats from elsewhere, particularly from Antonie Semenyo.
I cannot see Leeds changing from the three centre-back formation, especially as it worked well last time, but I wonder if at some point Daniel Farke will adopt the two-up-top strategy which also worked well at the Etihad.
With the exception of Noah Okafor, boss Farke has a full squad to choose from, so options will not be limited.
Unfortunately, despite playing under the lights at a rowdy and hostile Elland Road tomorrow, I still cannot see a positive result.
Prediction: Leeds United 0 Manchester City 3.
“The catalyst that led to United’s big improvement in form and results”
Last weekend the Whites’ precious draw at big guns Aston Villa improved Leeds United’s position slightly in the relegation battle.
West Ham United and Burnley both drew but Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur duly obliged by losing at home.
An even bigger test awaits the Whites as they entertain title contenders Manchester City under the Elland Road lights on Saturday evening.
City have returned to form after unexpectedly losing their local derby in January and will be a formidable opponent.
Our heart-stopping clash with them at the Etihad in November provided the catalyst that led to United’s big improvement in form and results.
On Saturday, the element of surprise will be missing and it will be interesting to see how the Whites line-up.
Another sold out Elland Road should need little encouragement to ‘give the boys a hand’ and Daniel Farke’s men are likely to need all the help they can get.
Most sensible people would predict a win for Manchester City but football can throw up a surprise now and again!
Prediction: Leeds United 2 Manchester City 2.
Continue Reading