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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Stephen Killen

Paul Merson agrees with other pundits predicting Man City and Leeds goal-fest

Raheem Sterling's second-half penalty against Wolves was enough to seal their sixth straight win in the Premier League.

Leeds United's visit to the Etihad offers the Blues a chance to extend their lead at the top of the table to four points ahead of Liverpool's kick-off on Thursday.

However, Pep Guardiola will be looking to pick up his first Premier League win over Marcelo Bielsa when they clash on Tuesday after a draw and a defeat to the Argentine's side last season.

A Stuart Dallas double stunned City last time the two met as the 10-men of Leeds left the Etihad will all three points after Liam Cooper's first-half red card.

The corresponding fixture saw Sterling's strike inside 20 minutes cancelled out by Rodrigo shortly before the hour mark.

But how do the pundits think City will get on against the Whites?

Mark Lawrenson - BBC Sport

"Leeds took four points off Manchester City last season and beat them at Etihad Stadium, but I don't see Marcelo Bielsa's side repeating that feat this time around," he told BBC Sport.

"Yes, Leeds put in a very decent performance against Chelsea on Saturday and must feel a bit robbed to have lost out to a last-gasp penalty at Stamford Bridge.

"But they don't seem to be able to string together two good displays at the moment and I can't see them pushing City as close.

"City were frustrated by Wolves for long periods on Saturday but Leeds are not a team that will go there and play as defensively that. They will be more open, and City will find a way through."

Prediction: Man City 3-0.

Paul Merson - Sports Keeda

He said in his Sports Keeda column: "I was impressed with Leeds United against Chelsea. They will play a certain way and cause problems for opposition teams. Unfortunately for them, that will suit Manchester City.

"As Thomas Tuchel said, you always get a hectic game from Leeds. They are very frantic and man-to-man all over the pitch, which pretty much plays into Manchester City's hands.

"I think Manchester City will record a big win in the Premier League in this one."

Prediction: Man City 4-0.

Michael Owen - BetVictor

"City didn’t cruise to the win as they normally do, but that was a crucial win over Wolves on Saturday," he writes in his BetVictor blog.

"It’s never easy playing a side who are so well organised, but they did enough to get the win. I’d expect a far more open game here.

"Leeds will feel very unfortunate to have left Stamford Bridge with nothing. They did enough to get at least a point from that game. Nonetheless, they played some good stuff in the game and the second goal was a typical Leeds goal.

"There’s bound to be goals in this one. Leeds are never the sort of side to just sit and play on the counter, they’ll try and attack. That will suit City here though and I can see them winning this by a few goals."

Prediction: Man City 4-1.

We’ve teamed up with LiveScore to invite fans to vote for their favourite results - the games which were much more than a score. Vote for the match that mattered to you here .

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