Leeds United have become…

…a team in form and a difficult side to beat.

So what we don’t need, at a noisy Elland Road, is another one of our second half performances where we appear to switch off to a large degree and for some bizarre reason.

Brilliant…but we did it again!

Last Saturday was just the reaction and result we needed in order to keep the pressure on Arsenal and the first half was really good from a City perspective. However, the game wasn’t without a scare or two…or three…or even four and we continue to be the masters of giving the opposition a sniff of blood.

So convinced were the visitors that they could grab something from a scoreline that read 2-1 in the 95^th minute, Newcastle sent their keeper up for a corner. Now that’s not unheard of, of course, but it was a game where we should have put ‘em to bed long before that…right Ait-Nouri and Samenyo?

As I say, brilliant result but we have to stop switching off after the break and start to also punish sides when we get the [many] opportunities, otherwise we simply won’t seize on the chance we’ve both worked hard for but also been handed in the title chase.

v Leeds United

Elland Road

Predicted line-up, subs and outcome:

(Number correct from the starting line-up in the last game: 10/11).

A very fluid 4-1-4-1 / 4-1-3-2 / 4-3-3 (occasional 3-6-1):

____________________Haaland____________________

 

 

__Marmoush__________________________Samenyo__

 

___________O’Reilly____________Silva(C)____________

 

_____________________Rodri_____________________

Ait-Nouri__________________________________Nunes

___________Dias(VC)______________Guehi___________

 

 

__________________Donnarumma_________________

Subs: Trafford, Lewis, Khusanov, Stones, Gonzalez, Cherki, Foden, Reijnders and Savinho.

Gigi keeps the gloves for this league encounter.

A back-4, occasional 3, of Rayan-A-, Ruben, Marc and Matheus.

Rodders just in front of those in deep-central midfield.

Ahead of the Spaniard is a likely 4 of Omar, Nico-O-, Bernardo and Antoine.

Erling up front.

James is reserve keeper; Rico, Abdukodir and John make up three defenders on the side. Nico-G-, Rayan-C-, Phil, Tijjani and Savinho give us a variety of midfield and wing options in ‘the 9’.

Notable absences:

-       Marcus Bettinelli – Not selected.

-       Josko Gvardiol – Out with a fractured tibia, for which he has had surgery. On 23^rd January, we were informed that it will be at least 2 more months before the Croatian international might be ready to return, which takes him up to the end of March.

-       Max Alleyne – Not selected.

-       Nathan Ake – Not selected.

-       Mateo Kovacic – Back in training with his teammates as he attempts to put nine months of injury / rehabilitation behind him. There was no update from our manager on 27^th February as to Mateo’s condition / progress.

-       Jeremy Doku – The 23-year-old resumed training on 26^th February following an unspecified leg injury that he received on 28^th January. Progress but still an unknown return date.

Do I agree with Pep’s (predicted) line-up?

Yep.

Result?

With a last 6 in the league of W D L W D D, I’ve already mentioned our host’s recent resilience and, so, onto us.

It was a VERY steely-looking and focused Pep Guardiola in the pre-match press conference, especially so in Part 1; giving short answers to any pertinent questions regarding today’s fixture. I liked what I saw from our manager.

We’re in good shape, personnel wise, and good form. If we apply ourselves in the right way for most of the 90+ minutes then we should have it within us to come away with all-3 points and make it 9 games unbeaten in all competitions.

That’s what I’m going for us to do – it’s a City win for me.

Last season’s, corresponding pre-match prediction and result:

Prediction: N/A

Result: N/A

Expected weather conditions during the game: After a mixed day of sunshine and showers in West Yorkshire, there’s a chance that it could dry up as kick off approaches. Dry for the match too with a temperature that reads 5C but with a “feels like” of a mere 3C. Yes folks, it’s still winter (🌻just 20 more days to go until spring!🐣). 🧥🧣🧤🍵🥧’n’🫛🍺⚽

Solidarity