This will be a great game. I was at Etihad Stadium when these two teams met in November, and it was a real turning point in Leeds‘ season.
City were 2-0 up at half-time but Leeds boss Daniel Farke put Dominic Calvert-Lewin on and had a real go.
They fought back to 2-2, and although they still lost to a last-gasp Phil Foden goal, that performance transformed them – they’ve been a different team in recent weeks compared with the way they started the season.
This is the sort of game where, if you are a City fan, you are thinking we have to go to Elland Road and win if we are going to win the title.
Leaders Arsenal did exactly that a few weeks ago, and blew Leeds away.
Can City do the same? I am not sure – especially if we class this Saturday evening kick-off as a night game, because Leeds‘ record in those under Farke is extraordinary – out of 21 so far, they have won 18 and drawn three.
It’s hard to call, so this was one of the games I mentioned earlier where I was thinking, ‘What would Einstein say?’.
He was better at physics than he was at predictions but I reckon he would have calculated that the floodlights will inspire Leeds again – but City will still come out on top.
So, my theory is that City will win. They don’t have the same control in midfield any more, but they have so much firepower – as well as Erling Haaland, Omar Marmoush and Semenyo are both in good form.
Haaland is not exactly playing a different role now, but he is showing what an intelligent footballer he is. I don’t see Leeds keeping them out.
Sutton’s prediction: 1-3
Oli’s prediction: This should be a simple game for City, but Leeds at home is never straightforward. Elland Road is like a fortress and Leeds have got goals in them so I can see this being a bit of a scrap. 2-3
AI’s prediction: 1-3
