Manchester City will look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a win when they host Leeds United on Saturday.
The defending champions are currently one point clear of Arsenal in the first place and they have a game in hand. A win here would put them four points clear of the Gunners and in charge of the title race with just four matches remaining.
Pep Guardiola’s men are on a six-match winning run and they will be fairly confident of trying out all three points against a struggling Leeds United side.
Leeds are currently 17th in the league table, only out of the bottom three on goal difference. They have changed managers and Sam Allardyce will be expected to pull off an upset here.
Leeds will be desperate to preserve their status as a Premier League club next season and they will have to play out of their skin in order to pull off a positive result here.
Adapting is 🔑#ManCity | @okx pic.twitter.com/8FRalag4tQ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 5, 2023
Team News & Tactics
Manchester City
Manchester City do not have any notable injury concerns and Pep Guardiola will be able to field a full-strength line-up in a 3-4-2-1 setup here.
Ederson Moraes is set to start in goal. Kyle Walker will start alongside Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake in a back three.
Riyad Mahrez and Jack Grealish will be deployed as the wingers here and they will look double down as the wing-backs and help out the team defensively as well.
Rodri will start in the middle of the park alongside John Stones. The two players will look to keep the midfield defensively compact and protect the central defenders.
Ilkay Gündogan is likely to start as the attacking midfielder along with Julian Alvarez. Erling Haaland is set to lead the line for Manchester City.
Kevin De Bruyne has missed the last two matches and he is likely to be rested here especially with the big game against Real Madrid coming up.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake; Mahrez, Rodri, Stones, Grealish; Gundogan, Alvarez; Haaland
Leeds United
Leeds United will be without the services of Tyler Adams, Stuart, Dallas and Luis Sinisterra.
Sam Allardyce is likely to field his side in a 4-4-2 formation with Illan Meslier in goal.
Luke Ayling and Junior Firpo will start as the full-backs here and they will look to keep the side defensively compact and create counter-attacking opportunities. Robin Koch will start in central defence alongside Max Wober.
Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville will be deployed as the wingers and the two players will look to open up the Manchester City defence with pace and flair.
Marc Roca will be the defensive midfielder here with Weston McKennie adding creativity and drive to the midfield.
Patrick Bamford will lead the line for Leeds alongside Wilfried Gnonto.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Wober, Firpo; Harrison, McKennie, Roca, Summerville; Bamford, Gnonto
Key Stats
- Manchester City have won their last 9 matches (Premier League).
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Manchester City‘s last 6 games (Premier League).
- Manchester City have scored at least 3 goals in 5 of their last 6 matches (Premier League).
- Leeds United have conceded 20 goals in the last six matches.
- Leeds United have failed to win five of their last six matches in the Premier League.
Player to watch out for
Erling Haaland
𝟯𝟱 Premier League goals 🤩 A big thank you to everyone for the support, nothing happens without you all, we don't stop here! 💙 pic.twitter.com/5MJqSbH0T4
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) May 3, 2023
Erling Haaland has been in spectacular form for Manchester City this season and he is our player to watch out on Saturday. The Norwegian striker has the quality to make a damaging impact against a vulnerable Leeds United defence.
Haaland has scored 17 goals in his last 10 appearances for Manchester City and he is likely to get on the scoresheet once again.
Prediction
Manchester City 3-0 Leeds United
Manchester City are in red-hot form right now and they will be full of confidence and momentum heading into this contest. Leeds United have picked up four defeats and a draw in the last five league matches and they are massive underdogs here.
The home side have the quality to grind out a comfortable victory here and an upset from Leeds is highly unlikely. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Manchester City at home.
