Leeds vs Manchester City Predictions

• Manchester City have conceded in four of their last six Premier League away games.
• Leeds United’s Premier League matches this season have averaged 5.0 goals per game.
• Each of Manchester City’s last seven top flight matches have produced three or more goals.
• Leeds are unbeaten in their last 10 competitive home games.

Teacher faces pupil as Bielsa and Guardiola lock horns

After marking their long awaited return to the Premier League with back-to-back seven goal thrillers against Liverpool and Fulham, Leeds United showed a different side to their game last weekend as they ground out a narrow 1-0 win over the declining Sheffield United.

Goals are likely to return to the forefront on Saturday though as Pep Guardiola pays a visit to his idol Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road.

The Lilywhites may have produced their first shutout of the season at Bramall Lane last weekend, but Bielsa’s men are far from assured at the back. They allowed The Blades 14 shots on their goal last weekend and the result could have been very different if Chris Wilder’s team were more ruthless in front of goal. Overall this season they have conceded 17 chances per game on average, and Manchester City have the players to punish that carelessness.

Leeds to take advantage of chaotic Citizen back line

That being said, Leeds have looked fantastic going forward and they’re coming up against a Manchester City defence that shipped five goals at home to Leicester last weekend. Ruben Dias has since been signed, but at just 23-years-old and coming in from the Portuguese Primeira Liga he could take some time to settle in.

Guardiola’s men looked shambolic last weekend and witnessing a performance as bad as that again is unlikely, but Bielsa is a tactical mastermind and if any manager can pick the holes in this Manchester City side, it’s him.

The Citizens have conceded in four of their last six Premier League away games while Leeds have netted eight in their three top flight outings so far, so we expect the goals to flow freely at both ends of the pitch.

Goals galore at Elland Road

Unsurprisingly, we’re also opting for plenty of goals to be scored in total. Leeds United’s games this season have averaged 5.0 goals per game and each of Manchester City’s last seven Premier League matches have produced at least three goals, so we’re backing over 2.5 goals and both teams to score here.

We actually think Leeds could get something from this game as well. The hosts performed well in their opener at Anfield and are unbeaten in ten competitive home games, while Manchester City have only won four of their last eight Premier League road trips. A 2-2 correct score prediction appeals.

As far as the goalscorer markets are concerned, one man in particular stands out for Leeds. Patrick Bamford has scored in all three Premier League fixtures so far and has really stepped up in quality after proving rather wasteful in the Championship last term, and at this price he looks fantastic value for money.

Leeds United injuries and team news

Jack Harrison is ineligible to play against parent club Manchester City while playmaker Pablo Hernandez remains injured. Kiko Casilla, Adam Forshaw and Gaetano Berardi also remain on the sidelines.

In fact, Harrison’s enforced replacement is expected to be the only change to the starting lineup that beat Sheffield United last weekend, with Ezgjan Alioski hoping to deputise on the wing.

Manchester City injuries and team news

Manchester City remain devoid of a recognised striker with both Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus sidelined. Raheem Sterling will lead the line again ahead of Torres, De Bruyne and Mahrez.

Ilkay Gundogan has completed his self isolation stint but hasn’t trained with the team and is expected to sit this one out, while new signing Ruben Dias could come straight into the centre of defence.