Before domestic football was suspended for the World Cup, Leeds starlet Crysencio Summerville used up all of his injury-time abilities. The Dutchman scored late goals against Liverpool and Bournemouth before Jesse Marsch’s team started losing again.
Another seven-goal thriller for Leeds came after an EFL Cup defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers, but they lost a 4-3 decision to Tottenham Hotspur on November 12 that left them dangling just two spots above the relegation zone in 15th place.
Leeds could therefore drop below the cut-off point before the new year if results this week don’t go their way, but Marsch’s team can be proud of their performance during the winter friendly period, winning 2-1 games against Elche and Real Sociedad before losing 4-2 to Monaco.
However, failing to keep a clean sheet for 11 straight games and only five of the visitors’ 17 Premier League games at Elland Road this calendar year cannot be seen in a positive light. The hosts have scored in seven of their last eight competitive and non-competitive games.
Leeds hasn’t defeated the reigning English champions at home since defeating Arsenal in 1999, and former Red Bull Salzburg coach Marsch is well aware of the unstoppable forces wielded by Man City’s Yorkshire-born star striker.
Erling Braut Haaland will not consider the sentimental value of a meeting with the club his father proudly wore the colours of. The man born in Leeds now intends to dampen the holiday spirit around Elland Road upon his return to West Yorkshire.
In Man City’s EFL Cup fourth-round match against Liverpool last week, it took the brilliant Scandinavian just 10 minutes to get back to scoring. Additional goals from Riyad Mahrez and Nathan Ake offset goals from Fabio Carvalho and Mohamed Salah to help Guardiola’s team advance to the last eight with a 3-2 victory.
Man City have a lot of work to do if they want to overtake Premier League leaders Arsenal, who would increase their lead over the champions at the top to eight points if they beat West Ham United on Boxing Day.
Brentford’s thrilling comeback victory at the Etihad just before the World Cup break may still be giving some of the crowd there nightmares about Ivan Toney, but the travelling supporters can sigh with relief knowing that their team has only given up one goal in their last six away games across all competitions.
Man City put a whopping 11 past the Whites last season, rout to a 7-0 Etihad victory before recording a 4-0 victory at Elland Road just eight months ago. Leeds impressively prevented Man City from winning either of their two matches in the 2020–21 Premier League season!
1×2 Betting Odds
The majority of Marsch’s injured players should be able to play on Wednesday, but facing a Man City team that features many rested international stars can only lead to one outcome.
Guardiola’s team was in their customary aggressive mood against Liverpool and should have no trouble getting a few goals past a porous Leeds defence, especially with the consistently cool Haaland out to stake a claim in his former hometown.
And the odds agree!
Man City for all their quality and star power are always the favourites in any given match. And that remains the same even in this one, with odds @ 1.36.
Leeds United may rely on Elland Road’s support, but even that might fall short when facing City. their odds of winning stands @ 9.50.
The odds of a stalemate and points being shared, stands @ 6.07.
Total goals over/under
The odds that the total number of goals score will be over 2.5, stands @ 1.46.
While the odds that the total number of goals will be under 2.5, stands @ 2.93.
