Manchester City will clash heads with Leeds United at the Etihad on Saturday afternoon, hoping to pick up a win and continue their strong run of form in the Premier League. The Citizens will be heading into the contest on the back of an impressive 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund, whereas Marcelo Bielsa’s men recorded a 2-1 win over Sheffield United last week.
Pep Guardiola will probably opt for the 4-3-3 formation with a couple of tweaks from the last game. Oleksandr Zinchenko might get the nod over Kyle Walker, whereas Gabriel Jesus looks likely to make his way back into the starting eleven.
4-3-3 Manchester City Predicted Lineup Vs Leeds United
Defence
Ederson Moraes will continue to operate in between the sticks for the upcoming home encounter. The Brazilian shot-stopper will hope to put up a strong performance and secure a clean sheet on Saturday.
Aymeric Laporte might replace John Stones to form the centre-half partnership with Ruben Dias at the heart of City’s backline.
Oleksandr Zinchenko will replace Kyle Walker at the left-back position, whereas Joao Cancelo will fill in on the other flank as the right-back. The full-backs will be expected to stay compact and keep their shape defensively.
Midfield
Rodri will continue to fulfil the holding midfield position and could be assigned more of a defensive role to shield the home side’s back-four.
Ilkay Gundogan will slot into the central midfield role, whereas Kevin de Bruyne is expected to start in the attacking midfield position. The latter was at his best against Borussia Dortmund in midweek as he got his name on the scoresheet, and he’ll be hoping to repeat more of the same this weekend.
Bernardo Silva will have to settle for a place on the bench but might come on in the latter stages of the game if called upon.
Attack
Raheem Sterling and Riyad Mahrez will take up the wide positions, playing on the left and right-wing respectively.
Gabriel Jesus will lead the line for the hosts against Leeds United. The Brazilian international will hope to get his name on the scoresheet when he faces off against the Leeds defence that has kept just one clean sheet in their last five league matches.
Veteran striker Sergio Aguero might be brought on in the second forty-five minutes of the contest if needed.
