Guardiola explains why Erling wasn't included for Leeds trip

Should City emerge victorious at Elland Road, they will move to within two points of Premier League leaders Arsenal having played the same number of games. The Gunners welcome London rivals Chelsea to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, with City's actual game in hand coming against Crystal Palace, rearranged after making the Carabao Cup final, coming later in the season.

Guardiola admitted the trip to Leeds is not as simple as it is often made out. He said it is difficult now to play out from the back because teams no longer allow you to have two central defenders against a striker, or three against two, and that man marking will be the same at Elland Road.

He pointed to similar approaches they faced at Newcastle and Nottingham Forest under the new manager, and noted it always happens against Liverpool. Most teams play that way, so City must adapt and have alternatives, Guardiola added.

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