Leeds United will be looking to boost their Premier League survival hopes and damage Man City's title aspirations on Saturday
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
13:58, 27 Feb 2026
Manchester City's manager Pep Guardiola speaks during a press conference at the Etihad Campus training ground in Manchester, north-west England, on January 27, 2026, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league stage football match against Galatasaray.
View Image
Pep Guardiola brings Manchester City to Elland Road this weekend
Pep Guardiola claims Manchester City know all about the challenge of facing not just Leeds United but the Elland Road crowd.
City will be hoping to cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the table to just two points on Saturday evening – and also complete the double over Daniel Farke’s side.
However, half-time in the corresponding match at the Etihad Stadium in November when they were 2-0 and en route to their sixth defeat in seven matches, is widely recognised to have been the turning point in United’s campaign.
Phil Foden’s injury time strike ultimately ensured goals from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha were fruitless – but the change of formation certainly inspired the confidence that has seen results pick up markedly.
Among others Leeds have taken points off Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United at home since then and Guardiola is aware just how feisty Farke’s team can be with their vociferous backing.
“Elland Road is Elland Road and Daniel made [good] last results,” Guardiola said. “They went to Stamford Bridge and Villa Park and got results. They have even the boost of the home crowd, but we’re ready for this challenge again.
“In ten years I’ve not been to Elland Road many times. Since Marcelo Bielsa promoted them to the Premier League we’ve been there and it’s an incredible stadium with a good vibe. We know it.
“I think there are a lot of Premier League stadiums that are traditional and really good, Elland Road is one of them.”
Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search. Help us stay visible byadding us as a Preferred Source in your search settings.
On the team news front the only change is Jeremy Doku has returned to training, while Guardiola gave his players a few days off in midweek to prepare for Saturday’s challenge. Josko Gvardiol and Mateo Kovacic are City’s only two confirmed absentees.
“Since September, October they didn’t have long weeks so the moment you can have it, I learned in this country less is more,” the Spaniard continued.
“When you can train less because of the schedule, you have to clean the mind and legs to come back better.
Article continues below
“If we win, it’ll have been perfect, if not we have to play every three days. We’ve had our rest. We’ve made really good training sessions and we’re ready for Elland Road.”