Leeds United will travel to Etihad Stadium to face Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday (06 May), and there will be a new manager in the dug-out.
The Whites are just above the relegation zone with goal difference separating them from Nottingham Forest. They have a tough set of fixtures, and it’s hard to see them picking up points against City.
This week, Leeds have sacked Javi Gracia after a poor run of results, and the club appointed veteran manager Sam Allardyce as they look to avoid the drop.
The former West Ham manager said in his first press conference that he is up there with any manager in the Premier League, alongside the likes of Pep Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mikel Arteta.
Now, in his first game as a manager for Leeds, he has a difficult job to keep Erling Haaland in control. The 22-year-old striker has created a new Premier League record by scoring 35 goals in a season so far. He has managed 51 goals for City in all competitions this season.
Top managers across the league have found no answer on how to stop the Norwegian, but Allardyce has tactical plans on how to keep Haaland in check.
“It is about supply. Stop the supply, stop the big man getting as many chances as he gets, then you limit his chances of scoring,” said Allardyce, as quoted by BBC Sport.
“Stop the supply but keep an eye on him at all times, especially in the final third.”
Can Sam Allardyce save Leeds?
Haaland is more than just a goal scorer. He is a typical modern-day striker with all-round abilities having also managed seven assists this season in the Premier League.
Apart from being a lethal finisher, he can also create chances for others. Against Arsenal at the Etihad, he was involved in the build-up for all the goals, so it won’t be easy to keep Haaland quiet.
Moreover, City have got a wealth of attacking midfielders who are capable of scoring against any Premier League side, and it would be seen as a gigantic effort if Leeds can frustrate City to earn a point.
Chris Sutton expects Man City to “wrap the game up early before taking their foot off the gas” and has predicted a 3-0 win against Leeds.
