The next chapter in Manchester City’s bid for the Premier League title features Pep Guardiola’s side make a tricky trip to Elland Road to face a Leeds side that are fired up in their battle for survival.
Cocktails in preparation?
Following their victory over Newcastle last weekend, City enjoyed the rare luxury of a free midweek in their busy schedule. With the opportunity for some valuable time on the training pitch, Pep Guardiola instead prioritised rest for his stars ahead of their trip to Elland Road.
“I said to them ‘Guys what you have to do for the mental courage, drink a lot of caipirinhas and daiquiris in these three days’,” claimed City’s boss. “Enjoy life. And after that make three proper training sessions and then go to Leeds.”
“That’s the difference between the clubs,” responded Leeds boss Daniel Farke. “They drink daiquiris and caipirinhas, here you drink proper pints of beer. It’s a proper Elland Road atmosphere.”
Elland Road an evening fortress
Ahead of the match, the German coach has referred to the atmosphere at Elland Road, and for good reason. Leeds are unbeaten in evening kick-off games at their home stadium in almost three years.
Since their last defeat under the lights at Elland Road, to Liverpool in April 2023, the Whites have hosted 21 evening kick-offs, winning 18, drawing three and losing none. It is a testament to the famous bear pit atmosphere created by Leeds’ passionate supporters – which only intensifies at night.
Despite this, when City exit the tunnel on Saturday evening, it will not be their first time entering the lion’s den. The Blues’ last trip up the M62 to face Leeds was on a Wednesday night in December 2022. They overcame the hostile atmosphere to run out 3-1 victors, and in fact all three of Guardiola’s visits to Elland Road have come in the evening, with the Catalan’s team winning twice and drawing once.
Treble inspiration?
City’s last visit to Elland Road was perhaps more significant than it seems at surface level too. It was on that night that Rico Lewis made his first Premier League start, with the teenager effortlessly stepping into midfield from defense. It was the tactical change, with John Stones later employed in a similar role, that ultimately inspired City to their historic treble success at the end of that season.
As City closed in on their momentous achievement that season, Guardiola himself admitted: “It’s thanks to Rico – he helped us to understand what we had to do to play better… without Rico this season, the step we made as a team would have been more difficult. I’m pretty convinced about that. The movement he does makes many things fluid. After that Kyle [Walker] realises, and John [Stones] playing in that position has been exceptional.”
With the Blues still fighting on all four fronts this season, the Catalan will hope for a similar moment of inspiration to strike his team.
Haaland homecoming
Saturday’s match will also be a homecoming for superstar striker Erling Haaland, who was actually born in Leeds. The Norway international’s father, Alfie, played for the Whites before joining City, and his son still holds a soft spot for the club.
This was demonstrated earlier in the season, when Haaland appeared to do the ‘Leeds salute’ in front of Galatasaray supporters after scoring against the Turkish side, who have a fierce rivalry with the Whites.
After netting twice on his only other visit to Elland Road, the Premier League’s leading scorer will be extra keen to add to his tally this weekend. In anticipation to the clash, Farke insisted: “Erling Haaland is probably the best striker in the world… The only one who comes close to him is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, of course.”
Leeds’ battle for survival
Leeds entered the season as one of the favourites for relegation, however the newly promoted side have been growing ever stronger in their battle for survival. Their resurgence in form came after their last-minute defeat at the Etihad at the end of November, and since then Farke’s outfit have looked like a different side.
Previously on a run of six defeats in seven, the Whites have now lost just two of their last 14 league matches – taking points from Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. This impressive run has lifted them six points above the drop zone, but they know they are not out of the woods yet. The Whites will treat every match like a final, especially at Elland Road, and that will certainly be the case against City.
The title race continues
Meanwhile at the top of the table, the sentiment is very much the same for Guardiola’s side, who will also feel the significance of every fixture. Arsenal stopped the rot last weekend with an emphatic 4-1 victory over north London rivals Tottenham – and the truly title race is well and truly on.
City play first again this weekend and know how critical it is to keep the pressure on the league leaders. The Gunners host Chelsea on Sunday and the emotions of that clash will be dictated by the result at Elland Road. It is vital that City travel home with all three points.
