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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

Kevin De Bruyne starts as Man City fans name starting line-up they want to see vs Leeds

Manchester City will be hoping to tighten their grip on top spot when they welcome Leeds United to the Etihad Stadium this afternoon.

City, who won the reverse fixture 3-1 at Elland Road back in December, will move four points clear of Arsenal at the summit with all three points. City have won each of their last nine Premier League matches, meaning they will take plenty of confidence into this afternoon's clash with the relegation-threatened Whites, who will be hoping to cause a major upset in their first game under new boss Sam Allardyce.

City returned to the top of the table with a 3-0 win over West Ham United on Wednesday night, just 24 hours after being temporarily dislodged by Arsenal. Arsenal play again on Sunday, travelling to third-placed Newcastle United.

READ MORE: City vs Leeds LIVE

The Blues, who have won 15 of their 17 Premier League home games this season, could welcome midfield architect Kevin De Bruyne back into the fold. The Belgian has missed each of the last two matches after picking up a minor injury in the 4-1 win over Arsenal on April 26.

With the attacking-midfielder in contention to possibly return to the matchday squad and maybe even the starting line-up, how do City's supporters want the Blues to line-up this afternoon? Here is how MEN-reading City fans voted...

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Unsurprisingly, City's supporters have backed Ederson to return in goal. The Brazilian was dropped to the bench in midweek against West Ham, paving the way for German shot-stopper Stefan Ortega to make his Premier League debut.

Although he marked the occasion with a clean sheet, there is an expectation that Ederson will be restored to the starting XI and reclaim his place.

In defence, City's supporters want to see one alteration made to the pool of defenders that started against the Hammers as well as a slight tactical tweak. City lined up with a back three on Wednesday, with John Stones operating in midfield. However, fans want to see Aymeric Laporte come into the side in place of the England international and make up a back-four alongside Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and Nathan Ake.

In midfield, Ilkay Gundogan and De Bruyne are recalled to the side and take the places of Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez. That means Gundogan would sit deep alongside Rodri with De Bruyne operating just ahead of them in his natural midfield habitat.

In attack, fans want to see Phil Foden, who scored after stepping off the bench in midweek, recalled to the side and start on the right in place of Riyad Mahrez. They want to see him join Erling Haaland and Jack Grealish in forming the front-three.

Starting line-up City fans want to see vs Leeds: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Laporte, Ake; Rodri, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Foden, Haaland, Grealish.

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