Man City Starting XI vs Leeds United: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Manchester City Search For Stability Against Leeds United

Manchester City step back into Premier League duty needing calm heads and clearer rhythm after a bruising week in Europe. The 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium exposed the risks of mass rotation and brought an abrupt end to their early Champions League momentum. Pep Guardiola had, in his words, “tinkered with his starting XI” and “made 10 changes to rest key players and allow those on the fringes to impress.” It was an experiment that “ultimately backfired” and left City facing “a first loss in Europe this season.”

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Selection Reset For Manchester City

Two defeats since the international break have sharpened the mood around the champions and the expectation is for familiar figures to reappear. Gianluigi Donnarumma returns in goal, with Matheus Nunes again pushing at right-back after a consistent run that has put him in contention to replace Abdukodir Khusanov. Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol should form the spine of the back line, while youngster Nico O’Reilly is tipped to complete the defensive unit.

Midfield Balance And Creativity

Rodri remains absent with a hamstring injury, a significant gap in Manchester City’s structure. Nico Gonzalez is again expected to cover the role, working in tandem with Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva, who carry much of the creative burden. Their influence will be essential against a Leeds United side still searching for resilience away from home.

Attack Built For Impact

Rayan Cherki, who featured on the right flank in City’s win over Liverpool and defeat by Newcastle is likely to be restored to the starting trio. With Erling Haaland and Jeremy Doku completing the forward line, Manchester City will aim to impose themselves early and reassert authority on a fixture that could shape their response to recent setbacks.

Predicted Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly, Silva, Nico, Foden, Cherki, Haaland, Doku.

Time and date: 3pm GMT on Saturday, November 30, 2025.