Leeds United face one of the toughest tests of the season on Saturday as Manchester City travel to Elland Road in pursuit of the Premier League title. It is a must-win for the table toppers with Liverpool breathing down their necks just a point further back.
It is panning out to be yet another colossal title battle between the two heavyweights and one slip up from either side could be enough to hand the trophy to their rivals. Jesse Marsch will be desperate for his players to land a decisive blow to Man City’s hopes of consecutive Premier League titles.
The Whites are unbeaten in their last five games and it would be a priceless result if they were able to extend that to six against the champions. While there won’t be much hope of securing a positive result among the fans in the home end on Saturday, Man City have previously struggled on their visits to Leeds since the formation of the Premier League.
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In the eight meetings between the two teams since the beginning of the 1992/93 season, they have won just twice and are without victory in their last three visits to Elland Road. That, of course, includes the brilliant Leeds performance against Pep Guardiola’s side last season which finished 1-1 but could have quite easily ended with victory for the hosts.
The rest of the results in this fixture have to be taken with a pinch of salt because, for many of them, Leeds were the side challenging at the top of the table while Man City were trying to steer clear of relegation. Although, at the same time, the atmosphere that is created inside Elland Road has always been vital in ensuring visiting teams aren’t allowed to get comfortable.
That same hostile reception is needed more than ever on Saturday as the Champions League semi-finalists won’t need a second invitation to settle into the game. Leeds will be looking to exploit any tiredness in the legs of the Man City players who were involved in their high-octane 4-3 win against Real Madrid on Tuesday evening.
Marsch will also be hoping that his side’s return to action in the goalless draw at Crystal Palace has been able to bring back the match sharpness that was clearly lacking. Anything other than the absolute best from each of the players in white is unlikely to be enough to come away with a result so they will all have to be at the peak of their powers.
