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2022/23 English Premier League
Matchday 35
Manchester City v Leeds United
Etihad Stadium
Manchester, England
Saturday, 6 May 2023
Kick-off is at 16h00
Defending
Premier League champions Manchester City will look to keep ramping up the pressure on Arsenal when they welcome struggling Leeds to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, May 6.
The Citizens climbed to the league summit for the first time this year when they beat Fulham 2-1 at Craven Cottage last Sunday, having closed within two points of the Gunners with a commanding 4-1 victory on home soil four days earlier.
The North Londoners subsequently reclaimed top spot after they defeated Chelsea 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday to establish a two-point lead over City ahead of their clash with West Ham on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola's side are unbeaten in their last 11 matches and have an opportunity to go back above their title rivals with victory over the Hammers, while they could open up a four-point gap before Arsenal face Newcastle 24 hours later.
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The Whites are under new management yet again after Sam Allardyce was brought in to steady the ship in the final four games of the season following the sacking of Javi Gracia this week.
Gracia was relieved of his duties in the wake of the heavy 4-1 defeat to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium last Sunday, which left his team without a win in their last five outings.
Allardyce takes over the reins with the West Yorkshire outfit perched just above the relegation zone in 17th place, tied on 30 points with Leicester (16th) and Everton (18th).
Julian Alvarez has settled in nicely at City following his arrival from River Plate in July 2022. The World Cup winner was initially eased into life in English football with the odd start but he's become an important member of the team in 2023 and scored three goals in his last five appearances.
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Patrick Bamford is slowly getting up to speed again at Elland Road after missing the better part of last season through injury. The 29-year-old striker has struggled with a couples of niggles this term but registered his fourth goal of the campaign against the Cherries last time out.
In team news, the hosts must do without Nathan Ake (thigh) and Kevin De Bruyne for the visit of the Whites, who lost Luis Sinisterra to a season-ending ankle injury last weekend, and he joins Stuart Dallas, Tyler Adams (both thigh) and Liam Cooper on the sidelines.
Guardiola has dismissed suggestions that fatigue could set in at the most crucial stage of their season, with City having played eight games alone in April.
"My role, I think is to tell them that if you're tired, you're wrong," the Spaniard said. "You're not tired. People say [there are] a lot of games, but if you're winning, I feel it in the past with Barcelona and Bayern Munich and here, when a manager dreams about being close, you feel the same as they dream.
"Now it's a question of sleep, sleep and sleep - and eat a lot and drink water, not another type of drink, and water, water, water - this is the best period. Take a lot of naps after lunchtime for better regeneration, the rest has efficiency to take care.
"They can do it, they did it in the past and they can do it. When you're tired, you're out of the competitions and after, you're tired. The season is so long and never ends - but when you're here, you're not tired, that's for sure."
Leeds announced the appointment of Allardyce on Wednesday, with the survival specialist becoming their third manager of the season after Jesse Marsch and Gracia.
"Leeds United can confirm Javi Gracia will leave the club after 12 games in charge. Zigor Aranalde, Mikel Antia and Juan Solla, who joined alongside Gracia, will also leave the club," the Whites said in a statement.
"We thank Javi and his team for their efforts under difficult circumstances. The remaining four games of the season will be overseen by experienced head coach Sam Allardyce.
"Allardyce has managed over 500 Premier League games in a managerial career stretching 29 years and he brings a wealth of knowledge in fighting for survival, having guided a number of his previous clubs to safety."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man City - 3
Leeds - 1
Draws - 1
Matchday 35 fixtures:
Saturday, May 6
15h00: Bournemouth v Chelsea
15h00: Manchester City v Leeds United
15h00: Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace
15h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Aston Villa
17h30: Liverpool v Brentford
Sunday, May 7
16h30: Newcastle United v Arsenal
19h00: West Ham United v Manchester United
Monday, May 8
15h00: Fulham v Leicester City
17h30: Brighton & Hove Albion v Everton
20h00: Nottingham Forest v Southampton
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