Arsenal extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points over Manchester City with a Boxing Day win against West Ham, 3-1.
Now, Pep Guardiola’s Man City will hope to reduce the eight-point gap when they return to Premier League action on Wednesday against Leeds United.
🎁 #LUFC 𝗕𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀! pic.twitter.com/bMyqMP4IFg— Leeds United (@LUFC) December 26, 2022
🎁 #LUFC 𝗕𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗿𝘀! pic.twitter.com/bMyqMP4IFg
The Cityzens are third in the Premier League going into the midweek match after Newcastle United moved into second on Boxing Day.
Manchester City lost two of their last four Premier League games before the 2022 FIFA World Cup break. However, Man City got a big Carabao Cup fourth-round win over Liverpool, 3-2, the week preceding the Premier League’s return.
Leeds United are 15th in the Premier League standings ahead of the restart. Jesse Marsch’s team lost three of their last six games ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup break.
Leeds go into Wednesday’s round No 16 match just two points above the relegation zone, as the fight for survival is tight.
Last season, Manchester City did the league double over Leeds United by a combined 11-0 scoreline. The Cityzens went to Elland Road and won 4-0 after previously defeating Leeds 7-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Marsch could be without up to 11 players for the game. Industrious midfielder Tyler Adams is ruled out due to a suspension. Luis Sinisterra is out with an ankle injury, while Archie Gray and Stuart Dallas are also ruled out with leg injuries.
The Leeds manager is hopeful that goalkeeper Illan Meslier, defender Liam Cooper, and forwards Jack Harrison, Rodrigo, Crysencio Summerville, and Patrick Bamford can all pass late fitness tests. Of the forwards, Bamford appears to be the furthest away from being fit to play.
Guardiola is likely to be without just three players. Defender Ruben Dias has a thigh injury that will keep him on the sidelines. Central midfielder Kalvin Phillips is unlikely to play after being criticised for being unfit and overweight post-World Cup were made.
World Cup winner, Julian Alvarez, is ruled out after helping Argentina win the tournament in Qatar. Striker Erling Haaland will relish playing against Leeds.
The striker was born in Leeds while his father played for the club. He will play against his former coach, Marsch, who worked with the player at RB Salzburg.
Haaland has 24 goals in 19 games this season. Eighteen of his goals were scored in 13 Premier League games. He has five multi-goal games in the Premier League in 2022-23.
Manchester City rolled over Leeds United last season and should do it again. The combination of City’s good form and Leeds' missing players from injury should see the away team win 3-1.