Prediction: Manchester City vs Leeds United

Verdict: Manchester City win & Raheem Sterling to score anytime

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Unibet

Two sides who really find themselves battling it out at opposite ends of the Premier League table, Manchester City will welcome Leeds to the Etihad on Tuesday night.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, while Manchester City might not have quite been at their fluid best over the weekend, the Sky Blues would have simply been happy to pick up maximum points on home soil. Eventually claiming a controversial 1-0 win against Wolves at the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s men firmly have their sights set on maintaining their spot at the top of the Premier League table. Although the defending champions might have signed off their Champions League group stage run with a 2-1 defeat away at German outfit RB Leipzig last month, it appears that might have just been an ever so minor blip. Still gaining a host of plaudits since returning from November’s international break, Manchester City have now won eight of their last nine matchups across all formats. Likewise, hoping to lay down another marker at the Etihad on Tuesday night, it should also be noted that Guardiola’s men have won seven of their last eight home fixtures, including five victories in Manchester on the bounce.

Team News

Picking up another booking in Saturday’s 1-0 win against Wolves, João Cancelo will serve a suspension on Tuesday night and miss out here.

Still working his way back to full fitness after returning a positive COVID-19 test last month, Kevin De Bruyne could make his return to Guardiola’s starting XI in midweek.

Leeds United

As for the visitors, while Leeds might have put in an eye-catching display away at Stamford Bridge over the weekend, it was real late heartbreak for Marcelo Bielsa’s men. Giving away two controversial penalties against the defending European champions, the Whites were eventually hit with a last-gasp 3-2 defeat against Chelsea. Although the one-time Napoli boss might have seen his side claim a much-needed 1-0 win against Crystal Palace last month, the Yorkshire-based outfit have continued to show a host of issues since opening the 2021/22 campaign. Although they might have shocked many across the Premier League last season, Bielsa’s men are now firmly looking over their shoulder at the drop zone. Leeds have managed to win just a pair of their last 10 contests, a run that stems back to October 2nd. While Tuesday’s guests might have claimed that stunning 2-1 win when they made the trip to the Etihad back in April, the Whites will know that they face a stern test here.

Team News

In what is a real blow for Leeds, midfielder and talisman Kalvin Phillips will miss the next two months after undergoing surgery on a hamstring injury.

Likewise, both Liam Cooper and Spanish international Rodrigo are expected to miss out on Tuesday’s trip to the Etihad.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides faced off at the Etihad back in April, Leeds picked up a stunning 2-1 win.
• However, the Whites have managed to win just a pair of their last 10 contests.
• Manchester City have won eight of their previous nine matchups across all formats.
• Likewise, Guardiola’s men have won seven of their last eight home fixtures, including five victories in Manchester on the bounce.
• No Premier League team have had fewer shots on their goal so far this season than Manchester City.

Conclusion

While Leeds might have put in a rugged display at Stamford Bridge over the weekend, there is no doubt that Tuesday’s guests will know that they face a stern test here. With many in their camp still looking over their shoulder at the drop zone, Manchester City should be smelling a chance here. Eventually claiming a 1-0 win against Wolves on Saturday lunchtime, the Sky Blues have managed to extend their buffer at the top of the Premier League table. Winning eight of their last nine matchups across all formats, Guardiola’s men have also largely continued to shine on home soil. Looking to right the wrong that was April’s shock 2-1 defeat against Leeds on home soil, we’re backing a home victory for the defending champions here.

Verdict: Manchester City win & Raheem Sterling to score anytime

Best Odds: 6/4

Bookmaker: Unibet