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Manchester City's Pep Guardiola has confessed to being wary of facing Leeds because of their new manager Sam Allardyce
Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has revealed that he is wary of facing Leeds after they recently appointed former relegation battle specialist Sam Allardyce following the sacking of Javi Gracia.
Guardiola’s Manchester City side welcome Leeds to the Etihad Stadium, hoping to earn a victory that extends their lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table and furthers their quest for a third consecutive league title.
Guardiola wary of Leeds' new manager bounce
Their task has been made more complex after the recent appointment of Allardyce, a move that Guardiola believes makes Leeds a more dangerous and unpredictable prospect.
Speaking ahead of the game, Guardiola talked about the possibility of Leeds enjoying the “new manager bounce”, saying, "Always the impact of your manager on the players in the first one or two games. Of course, every team is playing for important things, but for Leeds to stay [up], the impact is huge.”
The four-time Premier League champion also spoke about the prospect of facing a team that Manchester City could not analyse or prepare for in the usual manner since Leeds’ new manager was likely to bring a new system to the team.
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"I don't know the system he [Allardyce] is going to play,” Guardiola said, continuing, “We don't have any info, we can imagine what he is trying to do with us. And again, it is a massive, massive important game for us."
Manchester City to focus on themselves against Leeds
Guardiola also noted that the best way to approach the Leeds fixture would be to focus on his own team and find ways for them to improve on their most recent performance, a 3-0 win over West Ham on Wednesday.
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10:35 - 04.05.2023
FOOTBALL Allardyce believes he can outthink Pep, Klopp and Arteta
Leeds is currently out of the relegation zone on goal difference, sitting one place above Nottingham Forest in 17th. Allardyce has four games to maintain the club’s top-flight status, starting with a tough trip to Premier League champions Manchester City.
"When you don't have info about the opponent, don't focus much on them,” Guardiola said, before adding, “Think about your team, analyse the West Ham game to help us know what to do for the next game, and that's all."
A win over Leeds will leave Manchester City with a four-point lead over Arsenal, with the Gunners still to play Newcastle on Sunday.
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FOOTBALL Allardyce believes he can outthink Pep, Klopp and Arteta
Leeds is currently out of the relegation zone on goal difference, sitting one place above Nottingham Forest in 17th. Allardyce has four games to maintain the club’s top-flight status, starting with a tough trip to Premier League champions Manchester City.
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