Leeds United predicted line-up vs Man City (4-3-3) | OneFootball

Leeds United travel to the Etihad Stadium in full crisis mode and staring down the barrel of a fourth straight Premier League defeat.

Leeds have been dragged into the relegation zone, and another heavy setback on Sunday could push manager Daniel Farke closer to the exit door.

Unfortunately for the West Yorkshire team, there is no respite. After Leeds take on Manchester City, they face Chelsea and Liverpool.

The Whites face this brutal run while already struggling to cope with the physical and tactical demands of the top flight.

A lack of goals, recurring lapses in midfield, and an increasingly fragile defence have all fuelled fears that the club may need significant January reinforcements to survive.

Meanwhile, Man City are wounded but restless.

Back-to-back defeats derailed their momentum, dropping them down the Premier League table and the Champions League standings.

Pep Guardiola has accepted his midweek rotation gamble went too far, and a full-strength XI will step out at the Etihad with a point to prove.

Head-to-head & match stats

This fixture has not been kind to Leeds in recent years.

Man City have thrashed them 7–0, 4–0, and 2–1 in their last three home meetings, and their recent form suggests the visitors are in for another long afternoon.

City have won their last four league meetings with Leeds, scoring 16 goals in that stretch.

Leeds haven’t won at the Etihad since their shock 2–1 victory in April 2021 with 10 men.

Leeds have lost five of their last six league matches and conceded in nine straight Premier League games.

All of Leeds’ last four league goals have come in the opening 15 minutes, more than any team in that timeframe this season.

City are chasing a sixth straight home win by 2+ goals, something they last achieved in 2023.

Team news

Injuries have decimated the Peacocks.

Anton Stach is ruled out under concussion protocol, Sean Longstaff faces up to six weeks out with a calf injury, and Sebastiaan Bornauw remains a doubt with a knee problem.

Leeds midfielder Ethan Ampadu anchors the midfield, but he is one booking from suspension. Ao Tanaka will partner him, while Ilia Gruev is expected to complete the trio.

Brenden Aaronson and €20 million man Noah Okafor could be rotated out, with Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto (22) pressing to return to the starting XI.

At the back, Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, and Gabriel Gudmundsson are set to remain unchanged in front of goalkeeper Lucas Perri.

Lukas Nmecha, having netted in back-to-back games, leads the line once again, preferred over Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Joel Piroe.

City remain without Rodri and Mateo Kovacic, leaving Nico Gonzalez to continue as the midfield anchor.

Guardiola will start his key players after heavy mid-week rotation, meaning Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Erling Haaland all return.

Leeds-born Haaland is chasing his 100th Premier League goal and has scored in five straight home league matches.

Leeds United predicted starting XI (4-3-3)

Lucas Perri; Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Gabriel Gudmundsson; Ilia Gruev, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka; Daniel James, Lukas Nmecha, Wilfried Gnonto.