Mark Lawrenson predicts result of Leeds United clash against Manchester City
Leeds United travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City later today, and they will be dreaming of repeating last term’s heroics.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side shocked Pep Guardiola and his men the last time they visited Manchester, securing a 2-1 win, but Mark Lawrenson does not see the Whites getting anything from the game on Tuesday (14 December), predicting a 3-0 defeat for them.
The BBC pundit believes Leeds currently do not have what it takes to go toe to toe with the defending champions given their woeful start to 2021-22.
Lawrenson said: “Leeds took four points off Manchester City last season and beat them at Etihad Stadium, but I don’t see Marcelo Bielsa’s side repeating that feat.
“They put in a very decent performance against Chelsea on Saturday and must feel a bit robbed to have lost out to a last-gasp penalty at Stamford Bridge.
“But they don’t seem to be able to string together two good displays at the moment and I can’t see them pushing City so close.
“Wolves frustrated City for long periods on Saturday but Leeds are not a team that will go there and play as defensively that. They will be more open, and City will find a way through.”
Written off?
Some Leeds fans will be hoping a miracle can happen against Man City, but a lot of them will not be surprised if the team leaves with nothing.
The reigning champions have only lost twice this season, winning 12 times and conceding just nine goals.
It will be tough for the misfiring and underperforming Whites attack to break down the best defence in the English top-flight right now, and they will need to make the most of the few chances they get.
Man City remain vulnerable to counter-attacks given their style of play, though, and Leeds have pacy forwards that can hurt them.
Bielsa’s men still have not found a way to shut out the opposition, and they have leaked 25 goals so far.
They will need to keep Man City’s attack at bay if they want to have a chance of getting a result, though.
That is easier said than done, but the Elland Road outfit are still very much capable of the spectacular, and they need to produce one of such performances tonight against one of the best teams on the planet.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have mapped out plans to avoid relegation scrap as January transfer budget claim emerges.