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‘As Thomas Tuchel said’: Paul Merson has bad news for Leeds United fans

Photo by LEE SMITH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by LEE SMITH/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 10: Bernardo Silva of Manchester City and and Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Leeds United at Etihad Stadium on April 10, 2021 in Manchester, United Kingdom. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images

Paul Merson has stated that, ‘unfortunately’ for Leeds United, they will lose to Manchester City tonight because their style of play will ‘suit’ them, as he told Sportskeeda.

The former Premier League winner admitted that he was ‘impressed’ by Leeds’ performance against Chelsea.

But as Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said ‘you always get a hectic game with Leeds’ and Merson feels the same will happen at the Etihad on Tuesday night.

Last season, Pep Guardiola’s side romped to the Premier League title, including going on a 20+ game winning run.

Yet, it was Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds, who managed to take four points off the champions, including a memorable win at the Etihad.

But Merson has some bad news for the Leeds faithful because he doesn’t think the same result will occur once again.

“I was impressed with Leeds United against Chelsea,” said Merson. “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.”

LEEDS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 05: Marcelo Bielsa (L), Manager of Leeds United gives instructions during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Brentford at Elland Road on December 05, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images

Leeds perform at their best when they have their backs against the wall and that’s firmly the case here.

Even with so many key players in the treatment room, they took Chelsea to the wire and ended up losing the game through two individual errors.

It’s understandable if many are backing the Yorkshire side to lose in Manchester tonight, but they have to take something from the last campaign and bring it into the game.

Joe Gelhardt made quite the impact from the bench at Stamford Bridge and it will be interesting if Bielsa sticks him in the XI.