Leeds United could be Liverpool’s hope of ending Manchester City’s long Premier League unbeaten run. The Whites head into Saturday’s clash at Elland Road on the back of five straight Premier League games without a loss.
Jesse Marsch has inspired Leeds United to points since taking over for Marcelo Bielsa. The Whites are still dangerously close to the bottom three, however. Just five points separate Leeds United from 18th-place Everton.
💬 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆: “The talent they have speaks for itself. The manager does an incredible job, with a tactical model that’s very complex and players who understand it very well.” pic.twitter.com/5Dd10fOpAr— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 28, 2022
💬 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆: “The talent they have speaks for itself. The manager does an incredible job, with a tactical model that’s very complex and players who understand it very well.” pic.twitter.com/5Dd10fOpAr
Manchester City will hope to end Leeds United’s five-match unbeaten streak with a win away at Elland Road. Leeds was not an easy place to go last season for the Cityzens. Manchester City could only muster a 1-1 away draw. However, the coach is now different at Leeds United.
The Cityzens are fresh off of a Champions League semifinal first leg 4-3 win against Real Madrid. Pep Guardiola won’t be happy that the team allowed Madrid to score goals and pull within a single goal heading into the second leg, however.
Leeds United are coming off of a nil-nil draw with Crystal Palace. Under Bielsa, Leeds United bleed goals.
Marsch has improved the defence and Leeds United have kept back-to-back clean sheets ahead of Saturday’s game.
Manchester City and Leeds United will kick off the final game on Saturday. Liverpool visit Newcastle United to start the day. By the time the Cityzens kick off, they could be in second place, which could add pressure to them.
Marsch will once again be without key striker Patrick Bamford. The striker has an ankle injury once more.
Tyler Roberts is ruled out with a thigh problem. Adam Forshaw is nursing a knee injury and will miss out. Meanwhile, Jamie Shackleton is a major doubt to make the squad.
Guardiola is unlikely to have full-back Kyle Walker due to an ankle injury. John Stones suffered a muscle injury against Madrid and was replaced by Fernandinho. Guardiola’s options at right-back could be limited. Madrid targeted Fernandinho in the second half to great results.
City smashed Leeds United 7-0 in the reverse fixture. Bielsa’s abysmal man to man marking was destroyed by Guardiola’s quick-pass tactics. Marsch won’t make the same tactical mistakes that Bielsa did.
Manchester City should still go to Elland Road and collect a win. The Cityzens should pick up a 2-0 victory and stay in first place regardless of Liverpool’s result earlier in the day versus Newcastle United.