English Premier
2025-11-29 - Manchester City vs Leeds United
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Saturday 29th November 2025 - Kick Off 3pm
Manchester City
There would have been a real sense of surprise in the stands when it came to the Manchester City team selection for an important Champions League game on Tuesday night. Winning would have made the decision justifiable, but even manager Pep Guardiola had to admit that ten changes may have been too many as Manchester City were beaten 0-2 by Bayer Leverkusen.
They had plenty of shots, but found Mark Flekken in inspired form, but it was another disappointing result for Manchester City out of the November international break. Last Saturday they were beaten at Newcastle United and they are now 3rd in the Premier League table and 7 points behind leaders Arsenal. The side will be looking to bounce back at the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City have a 5-0-1 record in the top flight having scored 16 goals and conceded 4.
Manchester City went into the November international break with 4 straight wins in all competitions under their belt, but they have lost to Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen on the return to action. The defeat to Bayer Leverkusen ended the 7 game winning run that had been put together at the Etihad Stadium since the 0-2 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in August.
Wholesale changes were made to the starting eleven on Tuesday- none of those coming in did enough to impress the manager and it should see the majority of those who started against Newcastle United being restored to the team.
Leeds United
Reports have suggested that Leeds United's board have accepted that they have made a mistake in the summer transfer window by not buying the forward that Daniel Farke insisted his team needed. It has been costly in games against Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United were punished again last weekend when creating enough opportunities to earn a positive result against Aston Villa, but ultimately losing 1-2.
The pressure will be building as Leeds United have slipped into 18th place in the Premier League table and the real concern is that the next three fixtures are all against some of the biggest teams in the Division. They have a 1-0-5 away record in the Premier League where Leeds United have scored 4 goals and conceded 15.
Leeds United have now lost 5 of the last 6 Premier League games played, although the exception was an important home win over West Ham United. They will be travelling across the Pennines having lost 3 away League games in succession since beating Wolves at Molineux.
Anton Stach had to come off with concussion symptoms last Sunday and is not expected to be available.
Head to Head
Manchester City have won the last 4 games played against Leeds United with the most recent fixtures being in the 2022/23 season.
It was Leeds United who won at the Etihad Stadium in their first season back in the top flight in April 2021, but Manchester City have won the last 2 when hosting this opponent.
Prediction
Games are coming thick and fast for those Premier League clubs competing in European Football and Pep Guardiola will be demanding a big reaction from his squad after a difficult week.
Losing at St James' Park would have hurt, but the home defeat to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League may have served as a reminder that this Manchester City squad is not as deep as they have had in recent years.
A much stronger eleven will be picked for this Premier League fixture, even though Manchester City have another on Tuesday.
This time Pep Guardiola may choose to withdraw key players once the three points are almost secured and it looks a bad time for Leeds United to have to visit the Etihad Stadium.
Daniel Farke's men have lost 5 of the last 6 Premier League games, while the last 3 away League games have all ended in comfortable losses at Burnley, Brighton and Nottingham Forest. The performances in the last couple of those away games has been a real concern and Leeds United are going to have to show something they haven't been able to do all season if they are going to contain Manchester City.
There may be a feeling that some spaces can be exposed on the counter-attack, but Leeds United are going to be defending for much of the afternoon.
After back to back defeats, Manchester City may come out with a bit more intensity than usual and that should see them push Leeds United back and create some decent chances.
Prior to the defeat to Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester City had been playing with some confidence at the Etihad Stadium and 4 of the 7 victories secured in succession had been by three or more goals.
Manchester City could take off some of the big guns if they are in a lead by a couple of goals, but after the setbacks of this past week, Pep Guardiola may not take too many risks. That should mean the top names are given at least 70 minutes before attention turns to the next Premier League game and Manchester City can record a comfortable win over a Leeds United team lacking some confidence and belief, especially away from Elland Road.
The Pick :
Manchester City 3-0 Leeds United
