Prediction: Manchester City vs Leeds

Verdict: Manchester City half-time/full-time

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet

Looking to extend their buffer at the top of the Premier League table on Saturday afternoon, Manchester City will welcome Leeds to the Etihad.

Manchester City

Starting with the hosts, eventually breezing their way to a 3-0 romp at home against West Ham earlier in the week, Manchester City are in the midst of a remarkable purple patch. Finding a route back to the top of the Premier League table and now tipped as a standout pick to defend their domestic crown, Pep Guardiola’s superstar squad are riding what has become a stellar wave of momentum. Only continuing to shine on either side of March’s international break, the Sky Blues are now unbeaten in each of their last 19 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to February 5th. Booking their Champions League semi-final ticket last month after storming their way to a 4-1 aggregate victory against German giants Bayern Munich, the ex-Barcelona boss has also seen his side find quite the clinical edge. Including Wednesday’s 3-0 romp against West Ham, Man City have 12 goals on their four-match winning run.

Team News

Breaking the record for the most Premier League goals scored in a single season, striking sensation Erling Haaland will once again spearhead City’s attack. Despite missing out on Wednesday night, the Sky Blues are hopeful that midfield talisman Kevin De Bruyne will be able to make a full return this weekend.

Finding the net after coming off the bench in midweek, England international Phil Foden will be hoping to make his first start since returning from March’s international break.

Leeds

As for the visitors, while Leeds might have made the shock decision to appoint Sam Allardyce earlier in the week, the veteran boss will know that he faces a major uphill battle. Last seen putting in another nightmare display last weekend as they were hit with what could be a season-defining 4-1 drumming at the hands of Bournemouth, it is no secret that the Lilywhites are tipped as a leading relegation contender in 2023. Only continuing to show a string of issues on either side of March’s international break, the Yorkshire-Based outfit have collected just a single point from any of their last five Premier League appearances. With their woeful run of form highlighted by an infamous 5-1 drumming at home against Crystal Palace on April 9th, Allardyce’s new squad have gained a reputation for their rather glaring defensive struggles. Shipping 18 goals on their five-match winless run, there is no doubt that Leeds face a monumental challenge in Manchester.

Team News

Once again missing out last weekend as Leeds were hit with a 4-1 drumming on the south coast, Allardyce will be without the trio of Stuart Dallas, Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra when they travel to Manchester on Saturday afternoon.

Bagging his fourth Premier League goal of the season last time out, Patrick Bamford should once again lead Leeds’ attack this weekend. Making his first top-flight start since returning from March’s international break, Italian international Wilfried Gnonto will be hoping to keep his spot here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met for their reverse Premier League meeting on December 28th, Manchester city picked up a 3-1 victory at the Etihad.
• Likewise, the Sky Blues have won each of their last three meetings against Leeds by an aggregate score of 14-1.
• Saturday’s guests have collected just a single point from their last five Premier League appearances.
• The relegation scrappers have also shipped 18 goals on that five-match winless run.
• Manchester City are unbeaten in each of their last 19 straight appearances across all competitions – a run that stems all the way back to February 5th.

Conclusion

Eventually storming their way to a routine 3-0 romp against West Ham earlier in the week, Manchester City should once again be smelling a golden chance here. Now with their sights set on completing what would be a famous domestic and European sweep over the final few weeks, Saturday’s hosts will simply be looking to make another statement here. While Leeds might have welcomed Allardyce to Elland Road a few days ago, the Lilywhites face a huge uphill battle in their bid to avoid the drop. Losing each of their last three meetings against City by an aggregate score of 14-1, it is hard to see anything other than a routine home victory here.

Verdict: Manchester City half-time/full-time

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Unibet