“Elland Road is Elland Road” – Pep Guardiola sends stark title race warning to Manchester City squad | OneFootball

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has advised his players against underestimating Leeds United ahead of Saturday’s trip to Elland Road.

The Blues can extend their winning run to six games in all competitions with three points in Yorkshire this weekend as they look to keep up the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

City enter Saturday’s contest off the back of a narrow 2-1 win over Newcastle United last week courtesy of a first-half brace from man-of-the-moment Nico O’Reilly either side of a deflected Lewis Hall leveller at the Etihad Stadium.

After a poor first five weeks of results to begin 2026, Guardiola’s men have turned a corner and gathered momentum at an ideal time of the season run-in as they remain in the running for silverware in every competition they’re involved in.

Manchester City were drawn against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on Friday, with the Blues set to face Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final and through to the fifth round of the FA Cup.

City have been handed a major fitness boost ahead of their upcoming game against Leeds United after Guardiola confirmed that Jeremy Doku has returned to full first-team training this week after recovering from a calf injury.

The title race is picking up pace in the final months of the campaign and Guardiola’s side have been there and done it as they again vie to pip Mikel Arteta and co in the run-in, having spent a majority of the season chasing the Gunners.

Every game is a must-win for Manchester City between now and the end of the season and ahead of a tricky test away at Leeds United this weekend, Guardiola has warned his side against underestimating the threat posed by Daniel Farke’s men.

“Elland Road is Elland Road,” the Manchester City manager said in a press conference on Friday afternoon as he previewed this weekend’s trip.

Guardiola was further probed on his favourite away stadiums in England, having spent nearly a decade in charge of Manchester City.

The Catalan added: “I like Fulham (Craven Cottage), I like Watford (Vicarage Road), Goodison Park. Coming from another country to these traditional stadiums, I like it. Of course, the new ones are beautiful!”

City are well rested after another midweek devoid of action and Guardiola, who advised his players to unwind over cocktails and daiquiris after they won over Newcastle last week, will be confident of his side’s prospects in the remainder of the campaign.