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Sky have also just flashed up an intriguing stat that we may as well nick bears repeating. As mentioned in the preamble, during half time of the corresponding fixture in Manchester last November, Daniel Farke switched things around, changing to a back three, and nearly pulled off a great comeback …
… and while the tinkering didn’t bear fruit that day, it’s now seen as a pivotal point in Leeds’ efforts to beat the drop. Since then – and here’s the killer stat – only seven teams have picked up more points than Leeds: Arsenal, City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool, Chelsea and Brentford. That is not bad going, and Farke’s seat is a lot less hot, his coat-peg less shoogly, as a result.
It’s Daniel Farke’s turn to talk to Sky Sports. “The lads have delivered really well in the last away game … if they deliver they have a good chance to start the next game … we face a top, world-class side … they desperately need every point in the title race … in every detail we have to make hopefully a tight game … of course I prefer that [Haaland] is away from selection but it doesn’t take anything away from their class and strength.”
The 3pms have all finished. Here’s your classified check.
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Burnley 3-4 Brentford
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Liverpool 5-2 West Ham United
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Newcastle United 2-3 Everton
Looks like a good edition of Match of the Day tonight, huh? Liverpool are just a speck in Manchester City’s rear-view mirror, so their slightly flattering win over West Ham doesn’t really affect Pep Guardiola’s men. But it’s a boost for Daniel Farke’s team as the Hammers fail to chip into Leeds’ cushion at the bottom. See also: Burnley, who were a couple of inches away from completing one of the great comebacks, only for Brentford to recover their poise and reclaim all the points instead. Emillia Hawkins has all of the details in today’s Clockwatch.
Pep Guardiola speaks to Sky, and confirms that Erling Haaland only has a minor knock. “Two days ago … the last moment of training … some problem there … a little injury … not a big issue but he’s not ready for today … we miss one top striker, we’re playing with another top striker … we are not consistent in many parts … many, many new players … we arrive in the last part of the season being there … this is a really tough place to come … Daniel [Farke] is a top manager.”
Will Unwin is on point for the Guardian at Elland Road this afternoon. Allow him to set the scene.
The sun is still shining above Elland Road, where Leeds are boosted by the news that Erling Haaland will not feature against his hometown club. He is “not fully fit” after suffering an injury in training two days ago and that is all we know.
City have won their past three games as they try to chase down Arsenal at the top of the table. Victory today will put the gap down to two points prior to the Gunners facing Chelsea tomorrow, in what could be a very difficult afternoon for them. Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo will likely play as wide forwards, giving Leeds a very different prospect to what they were planning for. It could be a fascinating battle.
A reminder what happened to these lads this time last week.
Leeds United are going well, just one defeat in their last eight games, so if it ain’t broke, etc. They name the same XI that started the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa.
Manchester City’s big news: there’s no Erling Haaland. Rayan Cherki takes his starting spot, the only change from the 2-1 win over Newcastle United last weekend. Haaland picked up a knock in training during the week, though his absence today is reportedly more precautionary than anything, and he’s expected back for the Nottingham Forest game during the week.
The teams
Leeds United: Darlow, Bogle, Justin, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Stach, Ampadu, Gruev, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Gnonto, Bornauw, Tanaka, Bijol, Nmecha, Piroe, Longstaff, James, Lucas Perri.
Manchester City: Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guehi, Ait Nouri, Rodri, Semenyo, Silva, O’Reilly, Cherki, Marmoush.
Subs: Foden, Khusanov, Savio, Gonzalez, Doku, Ake, Stones, Reijnders, Trafford.
Referee: Peter Bankes
VAR: Paul Howard
Preamble
The title race is well and truly on. Leeds United should be a sight for sore eyes for Manchester City, who have won the last five meetings between the clubs to the cumulative tune of 19-4. But Leeds have been a resilient bunch this season (except for the curious exception of when playing Arsenal, who have beaten them 5-0 and 4-0): they’re currently unbeaten in four, a sequence that includes draws at Chelsea and Aston Villa, and City needed a last-minute Phil Foden winner to see them off at the Etihad last November, a game in which Daniel Farke’s side levelled from two goals down, the half-time changes made that day now seen as a pivotal point in their season.
So this is no gimme. Not least because Leeds are staying up, so may regard this game as a free swing for David against Goliath; City meanwhile are desperate to close the gap on Arsenal and don’t have so much wriggle room to spare. Could be a Saturday night spectacular. Kick-off is at 5.30pm GMT. It, like the title race, is on!
