Leeds United welcome Pep Guardiola’s title-challenging Manchester City to Elland Road, where the Whites will have to be at their very best to take anything from the game. However, having secured draws against Chelsea and Aston Villa in their last two league games, Daniel Farke’s 15th-placed side do possess the capability to surprise the big teams. Here is our Leeds United team news and predicted lineup.
Leeds United Team News and Predicted Lineup vs Title-Chasing Manchester City
How Leeds Have Lined Up Recently
Despite Lucas Perri’s heroics in the FA Cup, Farke stuck by the experienced Karl Darlow for the Villa game, which Leeds looked destined to win until Tammy Abraham’s late headed equaliser. In his 11 league games this season, the Welshman has conceded just 17 goals, and his save percentage of 65.2% is superior to the likes of Guglielmo Vicario and Bernd Leno.
In central defence, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk were joined by James Justin, who continues to impressively cover for the injured Jaka Bijol. 28-year-old Justin has enjoyed something of a career resurgence since moving to Elland Road, and is arguably playing his best football since he made his England debut in 2022.
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At wing-back, Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson continue to be two of Leeds’ most important players, providing much-needed width in the back-three system.
Captain Ethan Ampadu has had a standout campaign in midfield, showcasing his ability to calmly dictate play, ping accurate long-range passes, and win the ball back for his team. No Leeds player has made more tackles than his 56, and he has formed a formidable partnership with Ilia Greuv in the middle of the park.
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Against Villa, the coach opted for Anton Stach and Brendan Aaronson as twin number 10s, and it was Stach who opened the scoring with a magnificent free-kick to catch out Emi Martinez at his near post. Up front, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was kept relatively quiet, but the forward’s work rate and aerial ability made him a constant threat.
Leeds Recent Form and Tactics
Considering that no promoted side has stayed up in the Premier League in the past two seasons, Leeds’ recent form is nothing short of astonishing. Despite struggling early on in the term, the Whites have now taken 19 points from their past 13 games with a positive goal difference of three, highlighting just how well they have done since Farke shifted to a back-three system.
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Without wanting to tempt fate, as the club have certainly been there before, Leeds fans will be believing that Premier League survival is almost within their grasp. Furthermore, according to Opta, they have the easiest run of fixtures in their last 11 games of any team in the league, so there is plenty to be hopeful about at Elland Road.
Leeds Team News
Gudmundsson, who came off at half-time against Aston Villa due to illness, will be available again after making a full recovery.
The only injured player in the Leeds ranks is Noah Okafor, who misses out with a hamstring issue.
Leeds United Predicted Lineup
GK: Karl Darlow
CB: Jaka Bijol
CB: Joe Rodon
CB: Pascal Struijk
RWB: Jayden Bogle
LWB: Gabriel Gudmundsson
CM: Ethan Ampadu
CM: Ilia Gruev
AM: Anton Stach
AM: Brenden Aaronson
ST: Dominic Calvert-Lewin