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Manchester City can move four points clear of Arsenal and secure their place at the top of the Premier League table with a win against Leeds this afternoon. Pep Guardiola’s side returned to the top of the table with a midweek win against West Ham and are looking to put some distance between them and the Gunners ahead of a difficult Champions League semi-final against Real Madrid. Leeds, managed by Sam Allardyce, are knee-deep in a relegation battle and need points to avoid the drop. Allardyce has already replaced Javi Gracia and this is his first game in charge. Leeds are currently 17th in the table and out of the relegation zone only on goal difference.
The match, which kicks off at 3 pm, will be shown live on Sky Sports despite the usual 3 pm blackout. Guardiola has made seven changes to his starting lineup, perhaps with an eye on the Madrid game on Tuesday. Ederson is back in the goal, with Laporte, Lewis, and Akanji coming into defence. There is a return for Kevin de Bruyne, and Foden and Gundogan are joining him in midfield.
Allardyce has made four changes, with Robles starting in goal and Firpo and Wober coming into defence. Forshaw is back in the midfield. The Premier League has set a new record for goals conceded in a month, with Leeds shipping in 23 goals in seven games. It was the highest by a top-flight side in one month since Birmingham City in April 1965.
Guardiola’s side is unbeaten in their last 19 games, and the Norwegian striker Erling Haaland has now netted 35 times this season, moving ahead of Alan Shearer and Andy Cole. The game promises to be an exciting contest between a struggling Leeds side and a relentless Man City. With the title race still wide open, every match is a must-win for Guardiola’s men. It remains to be seen whether they can overcome an Allardyce-led Leeds.
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