Manchester City vs Leeds United preview: De Bruyne expected to return after injury

By Ric Turner, Fri 05 May 2023 16:20


Manchester City vs Leeds United preview: De Bruyne expected to return after injuryMidfielder missed last two games after being substituted against Arsenal

Manchester City vs Leeds United

Competition: F.A. Premier League

Date: 3.00pm, Saturday 6th May 2023

Venue: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

Referee: Andrew Madley Assistants: H Lennard, N Hopton Fourth Official: T Bramall VAR: S Hooper

Odds: City 1/7, Draw 15/2, Leeds 16/1

Tickets: Sold out

TV: Sky Sports

Manchester City

Manager: Pep Guardiola

Squad (from): Ederson, Ortega, Carson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Ake, Laporte, Akanji, Gomez, Lewis, Phillips, Gundogan, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Silva, Perrone, Foden, Palmer, Haaland, Alvarez, Mahrez

Injured: None

Doubtful: De Bruyne

Suspended: None

Form guide: WWWWD

Leeds United

Manager: Sam Allardyce

Squad (from): Meslier, Klaesson, Robles, Ayling, Firpo, Koch, Strujik, Kristensen, Forshaw, Aaronson, Roca, Summerville, Harrison, Gyabi, McKennie, Bamford, Perkins, Rodrigo, Rutter, Gnonto, Greenwood, Fernandez

Injured: Cooper, Sinisterra, Dallas, Adams

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

Form guide: LDLLL

Kevin De Bruyne is expected to be available again after missing the last two games with a minor muscular problem. Pep Guardiola will ake a decision after today's training session.

“He trained yesterday and (was) good. He will train today, and we will decide," he said at Friday's press conference.

“He has been missing one week or 10 days and at this time of the season, that is not a problem. It’s like Nathan - if he’s fit he can play.”

City have a Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid on Tuesday, but Guardiola wouldn't confirm if he would rotate his squad for the visit of Leeds.

“I'm thinking in how there's a lot of games with a lot of tension,” he said.

“I see the team really tired after demanding games against Fulham and West Ham.

“We have to see how the players recover again after just three days in the previous games.

“My decision will be focused on how physical and mental they play.

“After Madrid, the Premier League is so nice and important to go four points in front of Arsenal. Really important. Our focus is on tomorrow.

“Everyone has to be ready, contribution of everyone will be important. Lots or few minutes.”

City won their last home game against Leeds 7-0, with Phil Foden, Jack Grealish, Kevin De Bruyne (2), Riyad Mahrez, John Stones and Nathan Ake netting for the Blues. Overall City have won 48 of the 109 games played against the Whites, with 18 draws and 43 defeats.

Predicted line-up: Ederson, Stones, Akanji, Dias, Laporte, Gundogan, Silva, Foden, Mahrez, Alvarez, Haaland

Score prediction: City 3 Leeds 0