Manchester City vs Leeds United preview: Cancelo suspended but no new injury concerns for Blues

By Ric Turner, Tue 14 December 2021 10:17


Manchester City vs Leeds United preview: Cancelo suspended but no new injury concerns for BluesZinchenko likely to deputise at left-back, whilst Gundogan recovers from back problem

Manchester City vs Leeds United

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 8.00 pm, Tuesday 14th December 2021

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Referee: Paul Tierney Assistants: C Hatzidakis, N Davies Fourth Official: M Dean VAR: D England

Odds: City 1/7, Draw 15/2, Leeds 18/1

Tickets: On sale via tickets.mancity.com

TV: BT Sport

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Steffen, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Zinchenko, Laporte, Gundogan, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Fernandinho, Foden, Palmer, Sterling, Jesus, Mahrez

Injured: Torres

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Mendy, Cancelo

Form guide: WWWLW

Leeds United

Manager: Marcelo Bielsa

Squad (from): Meslier, Klaesson, Ayling, Firpo, Koch, De Bock, Llorente, Hjelde, Forshaw, Dallas, James, Harrison, Bate, Summerville, Klich, Shackleton, Raphina, Roberts, Gelhardt, Greenwood

Injured: Cooper, Phillips, Bamford, Rodrigo, Strujik

Doubtful: Koch

Suspended: None

Form guide: LDWDL

Ilkay Gundogan has recovered from a back problem that saw him substituted against Wolves, meaning that Pep Guardiola has a virtually fully fit squad to select from. Ferran Torres remains the only absentee with a long-term foot injury. Joao Cancelo, however, is suspended after picking up a fifth yellow card of the season on Saturday.

Leeds have enjoyed a mixed start to the season and are currently 15th in the table, but Guardiola is expecting a difficult game against Marcelo Bielsa's side.

“They play every week in a special unique way, and we play against the special and unique way just two times a year. It is completely different to other opponents.

“They are going to play in a way we are not used to in these kinds of games.

"At the same time, it is at the Etihad, we know a lot of people will be there and we want to do a good game tomorrow.

“Patrick Bamford was injured for a long time now. Kalvin Phillips, too. A few important players.

“But if there is one person who doesn’t complain about what happens, it is Marcelo. He loves to work when the situation is tough. You have seen the stats and style.

“There is no game where they don’t create more chances than the opponent.

“We will have to adapt to try and do what we want to do.”

City lost their last home league game against Leeds 2-1, with Ferran Torres scoring for the Blues. Overall City have won 45 of the 106 games played against Leeds, with 18 draws and 43 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Rodri, Gundogan, Bernardo, Sterling, Jesus, Grealish

Score prediction: City 2 Leeds 1