Michael Owen predicts five goals in Leeds v Manchester City clash
Michael Owen predicts Manchester City to demolish Leeds United at the Etihad Stadium in a barnstorming 4-1 win on Saturday.
The reverse fixture in October saw the newly-promoted Whites out-pass Pep Guardiola’s star-studded squad to claim a point in a closely-fought 1-1 draw.
Manchester City have reached new levels since that encounter, however, and they are 14 points clear at the Premier League summit, 32 points better off than Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
Writing in his regular BetVictor column Owen expects the league leaders to assert their dominance on Leeds with a big win.
“I expect Leeds to have a go here,” he said.
“Wednesday’s match was hard work for City, so I think Bielsa will plan to run the legs off the home side in the hope they can catch them off guard.
“However, City look unstoppable just now and even if Leeds do manage to nick one, I think the Citizens will have more than enough to seal a comfortable victory.”
Different proposition this time around
Rodrigo was the hero when the sides last met as he scored the equaliser within minutes of his second-half introduction to net his first in a Leeds shirt.
He might be forced into substitute duty again as he has not started since January 31 with injuries chiefly keeping him out of the side.
Whether he starts or not he and his teammates will need to be on top form over the 90+ minutes to cause any threat to a Manchester City side who have been transformed since they visited Elland Road.
The reverse fixture was many moons ago and they have played 43 matches since but have lost just twice, winning 36 of them.
That is a quite stunning statistic and goes a fair way to supporting Owen’s confident prediction in their favour.
They have conceded less than half (21) of the 48 Premier League goals we have shipped this season while they are the top scorers with 66.
However we think the Whites can take inspiration from October’s fixture and ensure a closer game than Owen anticipates, though the loss of last weekend’s goalscorer Jack Harrison, who is ineligible under the terms of his loan agreement, will be a big blow.
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