Leeds vs Manchester United Preview, prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Premier League 2025-26

Leeds United are 16th in the Premier League with 20 points!

Elland Road gets ready for another massive clash this Sunday. Leeds United host Manchester United in a game that shows exactly what English football rivalries are all about. The Roses rivalry returns to the Premier League on January 4, 2026.

Both sides need a win badly, but for very different reasons. Daniel Farke’s men are struggling in 16th place. They are looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone. Ruben Amorim’s Red Devils are chasing Champions League spots from sixth. History points to a wild game, but current form means both teams have to be smart.

Farke has a big job on his hands to get his players up for this. This comes after a tough 1-1 draw at Sunderland, where they just couldn’t do enough. Leeds United have found the top flight hard work so far.

Even so, Dominic Calvert-Lewin is giving them a real chance. The striker has scored eight times this season. He is basically carrying the attack on his own right now. He uses his size to lead the line.

Leeds must make the most of that against a Manchester United defence that hasn’t looked great away from home. Farke probably sees this home game as a chance to make Elland Road a place teams hate to visit. He knows that pure grit can often make up for a gap in talent in games like this.

Manchester United arrive in West Yorkshire with plenty of people watching them closely. Ruben Amorim has the team in sixth, but fans are getting restless after a draw against Wolves. The manager needs his big-money signings to actually show up.

Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have shown what they can do in bursts, but they haven’t been consistent enough. They are a long way off the top four. Dropping points here would be a massive blow to their Champions League hopes. Amorim wants his midfield to play with more energy. They are facing a Leeds side that love it when a game gets messy and fast.

Tactical discipline will be the decider. Leeds typically surrender possession. They prefer to strike quickly on the break. This strategy suits Brenden Aaronson’s directness and Calvert-Lewin’s eye for the goal. Manchester United prefer to control the tempo.

However, they often struggle to find a way through teams that sit deep. Their away form lately hasn’t been great. The team often fails to put games to bed. Ayden Heaven coming into the backline helps a bit, but the young defender is in for a rough afternoon in the Elland Road noise.

Expect a frantic start. The home fans will be screaming Leeds forward from the first whistle. The hosts know that if they rattle United early, it could pay off. This could force mistakes from a shaky United defence.

That said, if Amorim’s side can get through the first 20 minutes, their better technical skill should start to take over. Absence of Mbeumo’s pace on the wing is a lesser cause of worry for full-backs like Jayden Bogle. In the end, this game is about more than three points. It’s about building some momentum in a season that could still go either way for both clubs.

Kick-off:

• Location: Leeds, England
• Stadium: Elland Road
• Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
• Kick-off Time: 6:00 p.m. IST/ 12:30 p.m. GMT
• Referee: Jarred Gillett
• VAR: Officials are using VAR

Form:

• Leeds United: D-D-W-D-D
• Manchester United: D-W-L-D-W

Players To Watch Out For:

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United):

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the focal point for Leeds. His strength makes life difficult for defenders. He wins almost everything in the air, which opens up gaps for players like Brenden Aaronson. Farke counts on the striker to finish moves and keep the ball when the team is under pressure. The striker has done exactly that this season, scoring eight goals in 15 games. That form is the main reason Leeds are still above the bottom three.

Matheus Cunha (Manchester United):

Ruben Amorim is looking to Matheus Cunha to make things happen with Bruno Fernandes out and Mbeumo in AFCON 2025. The Brazilian likes to find pockets of space between the midfield and defence. He uses his skill on the ball to open up tight defences and find the wingers. He gives United’s attack a different feel. Cunha has registered three goals in 14 games this season and has become a key creative player for the team.

Match Facts:

• Leeds United haven’t beaten United at Elland Road in the league since 2002. Harry Kewell scored the only goal that day. That win was really the end of a great era for the club. Since then, fans have only seen draws and losses at home. This long run without a win makes everyone even more desperate for a result this Sunday.
• Things usually get chaotic when these two play. You can almost count on goals. There were 24 goals in the first four meetings after Leeds came back up in 2020. That’s an average of six goals a game. Defenders usually have a nightmare in this fixture. Tactics often go out the window because the crowd is so loud. It usually turns into a “you attack, we attack” style of play.
• The day Eric Cantona left for United in 1992 is still the biggest moment in this rivalry. He left Leeds for just £1.2 million. That move sparked United’s dominance for the next 20 years and took away Leeds’ best player. It changed the balance of power in English football, and it’s something Leeds fans still haven’t forgotten.

Leeds United vs Manchester United: Betting Tips and Odds

• Both teams to score – Yes: 1.65 (Bet365).
• Calvert-Lewin to score anytime: 3.10 (Sky Bet).
• Leeds United Double Chance: 1.80 (William Hill).

Injuries and Team News:

Leeds United:

Joe Rodon is out with an ankle injury. The medical staff doesn’t think he will be back until the middle of January. Daniel James is out longer with a hamstring problem. The club are aiming for a return in late January. Sean Longstaff is also a big doubt as he tries to get over a calf injury. Ampadu is suspended for the upcoming match.

Manchester United:

The visitors have a long injury list, too. Bruno Fernandes is out with a hamstring injury and is looking at a late January return. Both Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt have knocks; one to the back and one a general bruise. They might still play, but they aren’t expected back fully until early January. Bryan Mbeumo is still away at AFCON 2025.

Kobbie Mainoo is dealing with a calf problem and might be back for this match. Meanwhile, Mason Mount could also miss this one with a muscle injury.

Head-To-Head stats:

• Total Matches Played: 113
• Manchester United Wins: 50
• Leeds United Wins: 26
• Draws: 37

Leeds United vs Manchester United Predicted Starting Lineups:

Leeds United Predicted Starting Lineup (3-5-2):

Perri; Bornauw, Bijol, Struijk; Justin, Gruev, Tanaka, Stach, Gudmundsson; Nmecha, Calvert-Lewin

Manchester United Predicted Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1):

Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Ugarte; Dorgu, Zirkzee, Cunha; Sesko 

Match Prediction:

A high-scoring 2-2 draw looks like the most likely result. Both teams have major injuries in defence, which leave them wide open. The atmosphere at Elland Road usually pushes Leeds to go all-out attack, which gives United’s fast forwards plenty of room to run into. Because neither side have their main defensive leaders, expect the points to be shared in a frantic game.

Prediction: Leeds United 2-2 Manchester United

Telecast Details

India: JioHotstar, Star Sports Network

UK: Sky Sports and TNT Sports

US: NBC Sports

Nigeria: SuperSport

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