Analysing Leeds ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash | OneFootball

An in-depth look at the Leeds team we’ll come up against this weekend…

Match Preview

Leeds v City: Kick-off time, team news and TV information

We go to Elland Road at 17:30 (UK) on Saturday 28 February for our latest Premier League assignment.

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With 56 points from 27 games, we’re second in the table and five behind Arsenal with a game in hand.

Leeds came to the Etihad back in November, when Phil Foden’s stoppage time winner earned us all three points.

Men's Team

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Having won our last five games across all competitions, will we be able to keep our momentum going?

With the help of Opta data, we look at who will stand in our way…

Recent form

After 27 games, Leeds are 15th with 31 points. That has them six points ahead of West Ham, who occupy the last relegation spot.

They’ve lost just one of their last five games, winning one and drawing three.

Since the start of December, they have drawn eight times, which is more than anyone else across the division.

Meanwhile, their home form has been impressive, winning six, drawing four and losing just three so far.

The effect of evening starts at Elland Road has become a regular talking point this season, with Leeds going unbeaten in their last 25 home league matches to begin after 17:00.

Men's Team

How can I watch Leeds v City on TV?

Preferred lineup

Leeds tend to play a 3-4-3 that can become a 5-4-1 out of possession.

Karl Darlow has taken on the role of first choice goalkeeper from Brazilian Lucas Perri, who began the season between the sticks.

Pascal Struijk, Joe Rodon and James Justin tend to be three central defenders, with Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle the wing-backs.

Captain Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev are in the engine room in the middle, with Brendan Aaronson and Noah Okafor supporting Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Lukas Nmecha up top.

Men's Team

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Manager

Daniel Farke is in his third season in the top-flight, having had two goes with Norwich City.

The 49-year-old German then went to Krasnodar and Borussia Monchengladbach before landing at Elland Road in 2023.

He led them to a 90-point haul in his first season, although it was not enough for automatic promotion and they suffered play-off final heartbreak against Southampton.

They backed that up with 100 points last term, winning the Championship title.

After a difficult start to this campaign, Farke has since landed on a formula that appears to have Leeds pulling away from the relegation zone.

Head-to-head record

We’ve won our last five Premier League games with Leeds, having won just four of the first 16 meetings since the division’s rebrand in 1992.

That means we’ve won nine of the 21 league meetings since 1992 – scoring 35 and conceding 26 - while Leeds have claimed seven victories.

How they attack

Leeds are generally performing at a mid-table level in front of goal, with their 37 goals the 11th best in the division.

That matches both the xG they’ve created (38.8) and shots they’ve taken (331) in being the 11th most across all 20 teams.

They are above average in terms of taking their big chances, converting 37.9% of them – the eighth best in the league and more than City for instance, who are 36.5%.

They are significantly more dangerous – in relative terms - in the first half, with their 19 strikes the sixth best in the division. 18 goals have come after the break, but that’s only the 14th best.

As expected, they are one of the best in the league from set plays, scoring 17 times.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is their top scorer with 10 strikes, while Lukas Nmecha is next up with six.

How they defend

With 46 goals conceded, Leeds’ defence is the fourth most porous in the division.

That has come from an xG of 40.7, suggesting they are struggling to keep out chances that you wouldn’t necessarily expect them to concede from.

Both goalkeepers have struggled, with Perri’s save percentage the 25th best of 28 on 56.7% and Darlow in 18th on 63.8%.

41 of those goals have been scored from in the box, which tracks as the 17th most in the league – while they are as susceptible from set plays as they are dangerous when attacking, conceding 17 times.

With 14 goals being conceded in the last 15 minutes, they tend to finish games poorly.

They defend on the front foot – winning 104 possessions in the final third – and have committed 280 fouls so far.

Find out more about our new North Stand!

We’ve unveiled our plans for bars and hospitality spaces in the North Stand at the Etihad Stadium.

As previously communicated, the new North Stand concourses will feature large TV screens, upgraded sound systems, and self-service kiosks designed to create an amazing matchday experience.

Seasonal Memberships for both Cross Bar and City Hall are now on sale for the 2026/27 season.

To find out more or enquire about purchasing a Seasonal Membership, follow the link below or call 0161 385 2012.

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