Illan Meslier looks ready and alert, which of course he must be until the final whistle.

He's quickly off his line to beat Erling Haaland to a throughball.

Moments later, Kevin de Bruyne curves a shot wide of the target. The pressure is building.

Now here come Leeds, with purpose, down the left, but the final ball is lacking and Nathan Ake can sweep up.

It's been a lively start to say the least.

Steve Stone
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Leeds have struggled defensively. They've been going going forward and scored a lot of goals but they've conceded 26 so far this season, and that's a lot.

It was a really good save from Illan Meslier to deny Erling Haaland.

Manchester City maintain their bright start and earn a free-kick which Riyad Mahrez chips in towards Haaland - but the striker can't execute on the turn.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Elland Road

The pre-match gesture wasn't welcomed by 100% of those in attendance tonight, with a few boos as the players knelt before kick-off.

Jack Grealish seems to be attracting the ire of the home fans already.

Image source, Getty Images

JN: Haaland will break the Premier League goals record this season - Shearer's 260, that is.

Wow, Erling Haaland almost scores in the opening minute at Elland Road!

A looping ball forward finds the Manchester City forward in space but Illan Meslier stands tall to get a hand to Haaland's attempted lob and Leeds clear.

Quite the start.

Image source, Getty Images

Right then, away we go!

Phil Dawkes
BBC Sport at Elland Road

A warm round of applause from the west stand for Kalvin Phillips as he takes his seat on the City bench. The ex-Leeds player offers a thumb up in return.

It's pretty lively in here. The sound of a lot of football fans who've missed watching their team for a month and a half.

It's going to be fun seeing the away fans interact with the Leeds supporters in the south stand. They've already been giving each other a bit of light banter.

Steve Stone
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

It's all good and well bringing all these players in for big, big money but every fan of every club loves to see a local lad come through in the youth academy system and do well.

It gives inspiration for other young lads at the football club, to show that there's a path into the first team. There has to be that - it's no good running an academy just to try to sell players on.

It's really important that players like Rico Lewis come into the team, do well and Pep sticks by them. Manchester City have a little bit of a history of that with Foden coming through as well, so it's really nice to see.

It's well-deserved, as well. Kyle Walker played a lot of minutes at the World Cup and was just coming back from injury. Pep will be treading carefully with him because he knows he's a huge player for City.

The players make their way down the tunnel.

The crowd sound in fine voice at Elland Road as they do so, ready to welcome the home players out on to this pitch for the final time in 2022.

Kick-off is a few minutes away!

Leeds last managed to defeat the reigning Premier League champions in a home match in the competition in May 1999, when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's 86th-minute winner secured a 1-0 win over Arsenal.

But Jesse Marsch's side have shown progress at Elland Road so far this season, with their three wins after seven home league games only one fewer than their total from last term.

Image source, Getty Images

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC 5 Live

It's a case of getting that big crowd behind you.

Elland Road is a very tough place to go when it's rocking.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Elland Road

The TV people are starting to pack up and the sprinklers soon will be.

It's a bit late for a Boxing Day game - as Leeds chief executive Angus Kinnear points out in the programme - but there is a sense of anticipation in the air.

Can Leeds build on it once the game starts?

Manchester City are the only side in the last 13 seasons to go on to win the title having not been top of the Premier League on Christmas Day.

They have managed that on three occasions, in 2013-14, 2018-19 and 2020-21, and they will be hoping they can make it four this season.

In less than 10 minutes, City will resume their league campaign eight points behind leaders Arsenal following the Gunners' win on Boxing Day.

Image source, Getty Images

ObiObliteration: Rico Lewis - Micah 2.0 but this time no injuries, please.

P: Rico Lewis is very, very good.

J Staggs: Leeds need to be attacking those wide channels against this City side, who defend very narrow.

Steve Stone
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

There's a buzz around the ground: you can tell this is just such a massive fixture for both clubs. You can sense that.

With the way Leeds play, how they get about teams and the energy they've got, they'll make it different for Manchester City. And whenever City come to town, it's a huge fixture.

I can see Alf-Inge Haaland. He seems to be at every game around the pitch. There are TV crews down there as well. It's a huge fixture for him and the family.

I supported Newcastle United as a boy and whenever I went back there, I wanted to do really well. Even though I supported and loved them, you really wanted to do well against your home team.

Haaland will be wanting to do extra well against them. There's no way he'll be soft; he'll be wanting to score goals. This boy's an ultimate professional.

Manchester City may have dominated the two meetings between these sides last term, but it's Leeds who still boast the superior head-to-head record in the Premier League.

Prior to the 19th meeting between the clubs in the competition, the Whites have won seven, while City have won six.

Chris Sutton
Former England striker on BBC Radio 5 Live

Manchester City put out a strong team against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Thursday and they looked like they meant business in their first game back.

I like the way Leeds play, and they always seem to have a spell in every game where they are on top, but they rarely do it for 90 minutes and that worries me when they are up against a side as good as City.

There will be a great atmosphere at Elland Road - I always loved going there as a player, and it is the same now I go to work on games there for 5 Live - but that won't help Leeds much here.

Prediction: 0-4

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC 5 Live

To deal with Erling Haaland, you just have to look at the goals that he has scored and pick up on his tendencies because as good as some of these players are in the world, they do tend to repeat themselves with certain movements and bits of skill.

Even at that point, it gives you a better chance but it doesn't guarantee anything. Ultimately, you just have to be aware of his movements, aware of the fact he wants to get in at the near post and run in behind.

Then, with the team around you, try and ensure the service into him is as bad as it can be. If you give Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish time, they will punish you.

Leeds have to make sure the high press they have is worthwhile and affecting the game as opposed to something which looks nice and serves no purpose.