Manchester City vs Leeds United: Premier League Preview, H2H & Predicted Line-ups

Manchester City face Leeds United in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.

A controversial penalty awarded by referee Jonathan Moss made all the difference in the Cityzens’ hard-fought 1-0 home win over Wolverhampton Wanderers over the weekend. 

Now owners of a six-game winning run in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola’s men head into the midweek round top of the table, albeit one point clear of second-placed Liverpool. 

Since the Reds are set to welcome relegation-threatened Newcastle United to Anfield on Thursday, a victory is a must for Man City if they are to retain their place at the summit. 

Leeds, who have been a shadow of their former selves this season, go into proceedings on the back of a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat away to Chelsea at the weekend. 

Although they broke the deadlock at Stamford Bridge through Raphinha’s penalty, Mason Mount’s first-half equaliser, followed up by a couple of second-half spot-kicks, turned the game on its head.

Marcelo Bielsa’s team have won one of their last six Premier League fixtures (D3, L2) as they continue to flirt with the drop zone, harbouring a five-point lead over 18th-placed Burnley. 

Manchester City vs Leeds United Head-to-Head

Man City failed to beat Leeds in last season’s Premier League clashes.

Following a 1-1 draw at Elland Road in October 2020, the reigning English champions lost this exact fixture 2-1 back in April despite having a numerical advantage throughout the entire second half.

By extension, the Cityzens are winless in four successive Premier League meetings with Leeds (D2, L2) since Kevin Keegan’s side eked out a 2-1 win at Maine Road in January 2003.

Meanwhile, last season’s heroic triumph at the Etihad means the Whites could record back-to-back away wins at Man City in the top-flight for the first time since 1971.

Manchester City Preview

Man City will aim for a fast start at the Etihad, as they’ve won every Premier League home game when scoring within 15 minutes of play since September 2020.

Their last seven Premier League victories by multi-goal margins have witnessed Guardiola’s side draw first blood before the 15th minute. 

The Cityzens have gone unbeaten in their last 14 top-flight home matches played on Tuesday (W10, D4), last losing such an event at Maine Road in 1993. 

In 206 top-flight matches under Guardiola, Man City have tallied 499 goals, meaning another strike here would see the Spaniard become the quickest-ever Premier League manager to navigate his side to 500 league goals.

Bernardo Silva, who has returned to his best this season following last campaign’s topsy-turvy showings, will be City’s main threat going forward. 

The Portuguese ace has racked up seven goals and one assist in 15 league appearances this term, as he tops the club’s scoring charts in the Premier League.

Leeds United Preview

Except for a 2-1 win over lowly Norwich City at Carrow Road in late October, Leeds are winless in their remaining seven Premier League away games this term (D3, L4).

Bielsa’s men have improved their attacking output of late, netting two goals in each of their last two Premier League outings, having scored twice in two of their 14 matches in the competition beforehand. 

Despite putting two goals past Brentford and Chelsea, the Whites have failed to win on both occasions (D1, L1).

They could become the first Premier League side to net 2+ goals in three straight league matches without winning since West Ham United in 2016.

However, a victory at the Etihad looks far-fetched, as Leeds have only won one of their last 14 away fixtures against reigning top-flight holders (D5, L8).

Raphinha has been Bielsa’s headline performer this season, having scored seven (41%) of his side’s 17 Premier League goals.

The Brazilian winger has found the net in four of his five Premier League appearances on Tuesdays.

Manchester City vs Leeds United Predicted Line-ups

Manchester City (4-3-3): Ederson; Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Oleksandr Zinchenko; Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva; Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden.

Leeds United (4-2-3-1): Illan Meslier; Stuart Dallas, Luke Ayling, Diego Llorente, Junior Firpo; Jamie Shackleton, Adam Forshaw; Raphinha, Jack Harrison, Daniel James; Tyler Roberts.