ENGLISH PREMIER BETTING PREVIEW - LEEDS UNITED VS MANCHESTER CITY

English Premier

2026-02-28 - Leeds United vs Manchester City

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Leeds United v Manchester City
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 28th February 2026 - Kick Off 5:30pm
This game is live on TV

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Leeds United

Prior to kick off, a draw at Villa Park would have felt like a good result, but it would have hurt that Leeds United conceded as late as they did to drop two points. On a weekend when the likes of Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur lost at home, Leeds United will just have felt a missed opportunity to really begin to move towards safety in the Premier League.

Most supporters have to believe that Daniel Farke is taking Leeds United in the right direction, but the team are still 15th in the Premier League table and only 6 points clear of the bottom three. A couple more wins are likely going to be needed to keep Leeds United in the top flight and the form at Elland Road could be key where they have compiled a 6-4-3 record already this season.

Leeds United have only lost 1 of the last 8 games in all competitions and have moved through to the FA Cup Fifth Round to give the supporters another competition to enjoy in what has been a successful season so far. That sole defeat did come at Elland Road when Leeds United were beaten by Premier League leaders Arsenal, but that is also the only home defeat in 7 League fixtures played here.

Gabriel Gudmundsson is expected to be available, but Noah Okafor is a doubt.

Manchester City

No one will describe the win over Newcastle United as a vintage Manchester City performance under Pep Guardiola, but his team did win and have kept the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal. They play first again this weekend ahead of another important London derby for The Gunners and all Guardiola and his players have to be thinking about is earning three points.

They are still 2nd in the Premier League table and 5 points behind Arsenal, but Manchester City remain in a position where winning every League game left will mean becoming Champions again. The side travel across the Pennines with a 6-3-4 away record and only three clubs have more away points than Manchester City in the Division.

Manchester City's win last Saturday means they have won 7 of the last 8 games played in all competitions, including the last 5 in a row. They had failed to win any of 3 away games in all competitions and looked to be on course for another setback when trailing late at Anfield, but two goals turned things around for Manchester City and would have given the whole squad a real lift.

Max Alleyne and Jeremy Doku are edging closer to returns, but this weekend may come too soon for both.

Head to Head

Manchester City blew a 2-0 lead against this opponent earlier this season, but did manage a late goal to beat Leeds United 3-2.

This will be the fourth meeting at Elland Road since October 2020 and Leeds United have lost the last 2 since earning a 1-1 draw.

Prediction

The late Saturday afternoon kick off in the Premier League will have a big impact on standings at the top and bottom of the Division and both Leeds United and Manchester City will be desperate for the three points.

Of course you'd imagine Daniel Farke and the Leeds United supporters would feel it is another point gained in the battle to avoid the drop in the event of a draw, but home games are important as the team chase a couple more League wins to place themselves in what should be a very strong spot.

Draws mean a lot less to Manchester City- right now they control their own destiny and know winning every League game would see them end the season as Champions. They will have noted the result Arsenal earned at Elland Road last month and Pep Guardiola's squad is beginning to look healthier, which offers him more options from the bench if things are not quite going to plan.

It was a mixed performance from Manchester City last week as they held on for a 2-1 win over Newcastle United at the Etihad Stadium, while they have been an inconsistent force away from home all season.

However, the chances created in games at Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in Premier League away fixtures this month will give Manchester City plenty of belief ahead of this one.

Leeds United will play a part as they get forward to attack what has been a vulnerable Manchester City defence at times.

It was the reverse fixture at the Etihad Stadium when Daniel Farke made half time changes to the formation that saw Leeds United come so close to fighting back from 2-0 down to earn a point. That has been a formation Farke has stuck with and his Leeds United have really excelled with what has been demanded of them, which makes them dangerous.

However, this is a team that do give up some quality chances and Manchester City have attacking players that can step up and convert those into the three points.

While it is unlikely to be as comfortable as Arsenal made it at Elland Road, Manchester City can showcase their qualities and experience to produce a victory out of a high-scoring game this weekend.

Once again they can move just a couple of points behind Arsenal and see how The Gunners respond to the pressure twenty-four hours later.

The Pick :

Leeds United 1-3 Manchester City

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Manchester City to Win & Over 1 Total Goals (Bet Builder) at 1.80 with Bet365 (early payout if a team is leading by two goals)