Former Arsenal player Paul Merson.
(Credit: Imago)
Leeds United host Manchester City at Elland Road on Saturday in what is the Whites’ most difficult remaining Premier League fixture on paper.
United will feel they are more than capable of getting a result against Manchester City, with Daniel Farke’s men picking up an unexpected point against Aston Villa at Villa Park in their last outing.
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Leeds have also been given a major injury boost ahead of the important showdown at Elland Road, with Farke confirming that Gabriel Gudmundsson has recovered from his illness and is available to face Pep Guardiola’s side.
Although Manchester City are undoubtedly the heavy favourites going into the game, with Guardiola’s men chasing Arsenal in the Premier League title race, former Arsenal player Paul Merson has made a bold prediction about the game at Elland Road that will certainly raise eyebrows.
Paul Merson predicts Leeds will pick up a valuable point against Manchester City
A lot has been made of the success Leeds enjoyed in the second half against Man City in the reverse fixture at the Etihad, with many claiming that this was the catalyst for United’s upturn in form over recent months.
Writing for SportsKeeda, Merson sensationally predicts that Leeds will extend their unbeaten streak, which currently sits at four games in all competitions.
“Leeds have been doing well. They got a good result against Aston Villa, of course, unlucky to concede that goal in the end. But a point away from home at Villa Park isn’t bad at all,” Merson said.
“Leeds have troubled many of the big boys this season. I expect them to cause City problems. I’m going for a draw in this very difficult game for Manchester City,” before going on to predict a 1-1 draw between the two sides.
If the Whites could somehow pick up a point unexpectedly, then with 10 Premier League games to go, there would surely be little to no chance of Leeds getting relegated this season.
READ MORE:Gary Neville delivers bold verdict on Leeds United Premier League impact: “No doubt…” – The Leeds Press
Supercomputer does not share Paul Merson’s faith in Leeds
As expected, Opta’s supercomputer disagrees with Merson when it comes to its prediction for the upcoming clash at Elland Road.
The supercomputer predicts that Leeds have a 21.6% chance of beating Man City
Guardiola’s men have a 56.6% chance of leaving West Yorkshire with all three points
The chance of a draw is said to be 21.8%
Given the way the Whites competed with City last time out, they should have faith that they can put in a similar type of performance again, especially at home.
With the way Lukas Nmecha and Dominic Calvert-Lewin caused problems for City’s backline last time out, Farke may choose to deploy the pair together from the start of the game to unsettle Guardiola’s men early on and give Leeds a chance to cause a huge upset.
READ MORE:Calvert-Lewin and James Justin respond to subtle Pep Guardiola dig ahead of Elland Road clash – The Leeds Press