Pressure is mounting, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. After a surprising setback at St James’ Park and Arsenal’s crucial win over Tottenham, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have slipped to third place. Chelsea’s surge has pushed City further down, leaving them seven points adrift from the top — a worrying sign for a team accustomed to dominance.
But while City stumble, Leeds United’s troubles run much deeper. Having suffered three consecutive defeats and leaked eight goals, they start the weekend trapped in the relegation zone. To make matters worse, they face a brutal stretch featuring back-to-back clashes with Chelsea and Liverpool right after this one. For Daniel Farke’s side, survival looks like an uphill battle.
Date, Kick-Off Time, and Venue
Manchester City will host Leeds United today, Saturday, November 29, 2025. The match kicks off at 3pm GMT at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester — a ground that’s rarely kind to visiting sides.
How to Watch or Follow the Match
Fans in the UK won’t be able to catch the game live on TV due to the traditional Saturday 3pm broadcast blackout. But don’t worry — Standard Sport’s live blog will provide minute-by-minute coverage and all the drama as it unfolds.
If you’re looking for highlights, the Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will share them from 5:15pm GMT. Later in the evening, Match of the Day will air the best moments on BBC One starting at 10:25pm. So even if you can’t tune in live, there are plenty of ways to stay in the loop.
Team News: Guardiola Shakes Things Up
Pep Guardiola’s midweek experiment — making ten changes in the Champions League — didn’t go according to plan. Expect him to return to a more familiar lineup for this clash. Gianluigi Donnarumma is likely to reclaim his spot between the posts, replacing James Trafford, while Erling Haaland — a Leeds native and City’s goal machine — will spearhead the attack again as he hunts for more goals atop the Premier League charts.
Big names such as Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Jeremy Doku, and Rayan Cherki are also expected to feature from the start. However, Rodri remains doubtful as he continues to nurse a hamstring injury sustained against Bournemouth. Mateo Kovacic won’t be back anytime soon either, still sidelined with a long-term issue.
Leeds’ challenges are compounded by the absence of Anton Stach, ruled out under concussion protocols after an awkward fall against Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez. In his absence, Ao Tanaka will likely step into midfield. Aside from that, manager Daniel Farke has a fully fit squad — though the pressure on him to deliver a miracle result is immense.
Man City vs Leeds Prediction
Let’s face it: for Manchester City, this match is non-negotiable. It’s a must-win. With Arsenal and Chelsea facing each other on Sunday, Guardiola’s side has a golden chance to capitalize on dropped points and close the gap at the top. Before their midweek slip, City had been in excellent form — and with key players returning, they should cruise comfortably past a struggling Leeds.
Predicted score: Manchester City 3-0 Leeds United.
Head-to-Head Record
Recent history doesn’t favor Leeds. Since their shock 2-1 win over City during the 2020–21 season, the champions have won four straight meetings between the two clubs.
- Man City wins: 49
- Leeds wins: 43
- Draws: 18
Match Odds (via Betfair)
- Man City to win: 2/9
- Leeds to win: 10/1
- Draw: 4/1
(Odds are subject to change.)
But here’s where it gets interesting — can Leeds pull off an upset similar to their 2021 heroics, or will City’s stars prove too strong once again? Some argue City are showing cracks at the wrong time, while others insist this is just another temporary blip.
What do you think — is this the moment Leeds defy the odds, or will Guardiola’s men use this as a statement win to reignite their title charge? Drop your predictions and hot takes in the comments below!
