Image source, Getty Images

Tonight sees the Premier League's best presser come up against a player who knows as well as anybody how to cope with such attention.

Leeds' midfielder Brenden Aaronson has made more pressures - defined by Opta as closing down the team/player in possession - than any other player in the Premier League so far this season (442).

On the other hand, Manchester City's Rodri has been pressured more often than any other player in the competition (429).

Who will play their part best tonight?

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC 5 Live

I'm sure some Manchester City fans will be nervous, seeing Arsenal get that extra lead at the top of the Premier League and Newcastle in second.

There is reason to believe these are all must win games for them but I'm sure it will be a cracker today.

Leeds are a nightmare to play against because they are so relentless, they work hard for each other, they will take their chances and score goals.

Whenever you leave the field against them, you know it has been a tough game. Especially when some of the players have been on a little break.

Manchester City go into tonight's contest at Elland Road aiming to avoid suffering consecutive league defeats for the first time since December 2018.

Pep Guardiola's side fell to a 2-1 loss at home to Brentford on 12 November after Ivan Toney scored a 98th minute winner at Etihad Stadium.

City have also failed to score from open play in their last four away matches in all competitions.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve Stone
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

Manchester City have to get points on the board. Pep's got such a strong squad; he's probably got to look at the whole of January and the start of February.

They're still in the EFL Cup and the FA Cup. The Champions League doesn't really come into it until the middle of February. So he'll be looking at it and thinking 'I can use my squad tonight - it's strong enough and should be able to beat Leeds.'

Leeds United's final two league games before the World Cup were hugely entertaining, with a total of 14 goals being scored across a 4-3 home win over Bournemouth before a 4-3 defeat at Tottenham.

They had come from 3-1 down against the Cherries and led three times at Spurs.

It all means Jesse Marsch's men restart their Premier League campaign two points above the bottom three.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City returned to action last Thursday in a 3-2 Carabao Cup fourth round victory over Liverpool, which saw midfielder Kevin de Bruyne back to his best after a disappointing World Cup with Belgium.

"He just has to find the right fire inside of himself - just to be a little bit, I would say, grumpy or upset to play his best. That is his energy inside of him," Pep Guardiola said.

"When this happens it is Mr Kevin de Bruyne. What can I say?

"Eight years he has done everything for this club, an absolute legend, he will be remembered forever as one of the greatest, greatest, greatest players of this club."

Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking to Amazon Prime: "Eight points behind is a lot, we have two games in hand but we know we have to win games otherwise it will not be possible to catch Arsenal.

On Rico Lewis making his Premier League debut: "For the way he played against Liverpool, it would be unfair to not let him play again. It's almost impossible to play better than him but I had the feeling that he has to play so that's why. Yes we need Kyle [Walker] and we need Joao [Cancelo] but right now I see him in the perfect position to play.

If there had to be a mid-season World Cup, December is almost certainly the month Pep Guardiola would have chosen for it to take place.

The Spaniard has lost eight Premier League matches in December, which is at least twice as many as in any other month since he took charge in 2016.

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Manchester City will feel confident going into this fixture, having scored 11 goals without reply in their two league games against Leeds last season.

They won 7-0 at home last December and 4-0 at Elland Road in April.

It means last season's champions can tonight win three consecutive league matches against Leeds for the first time since 1983.

Image source, Getty Images

Simon Stone
BBC Sport at Elland Road

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch has used his programme notes to make something of a rallying call, pointing out his team's results this season show they are not afraid of anyone.

The problem is that August victory against Chelsea and unexpected success at Liverpool on 29 October represent 50% of Leeds' Premier League victories this season.

Leeds are two points clear of third bottom Wolves, with a better goal difference and two games in hand.

However, the combined score in two defeats by City last term was 11-0 and with a trip to Newcastle on New Year's Eve before a key game against West Ham here next Wednesday, the margins are fine.

Leeds United

Leeds manager Jesse Marsch speaking to Amazon Prime: "We talked about after we have taken the lead, we have become more passive and invited the opponent back into the match. For us it will be really important to get a lead against Man City which will not be easy and then to stay on the front foot and remain aggressive.

On dealing with Haaland: "We've talked about what kind of movements Haaland likes to make, specifically in the box. We focused on Haaland a bit and showed where his chances come from. He is so incredibly powerful.

"That being said, it's still a big task on the day to control everything but we need to really have the mentality to fight for every play. we have to have the mentality to do whatever it takes on the day.

On his team selection: "Obviously we miss Tyler Adams through suspension, we knew we would have to address that. Having Adama Forshaw back will help us with that. Summerville is not quite fit yet so we decided to use him from the bench. Illan is really close to 100% and ready to go and he's a guy that we believe in and we need."

Thankfully that sprinkler issue has been sorted and both managers have given their pre-match thoughts pitchside as the players continue their warm-ups.

Let's hear what they've had to say...

Phil Dawkes
BBC Sport at Elland Road

Image source, BBC Sport

The Leeds sprinklers kicked into life on this near side of the pitch, giving the Amazon production team a good pre-game shower.

As a solution, one of them used his foot to redirect it.

I'm telling you, this is not a night to spend out with a trainer full of water. Now that is taking one for the team.

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds manager Jesse Marsch is hoping his experiences of working with Erling Haaland will help his side contain Manchester City's free-scoring striker this evening.

However, he admitted being able to do so will also "come down to luck".

Haaland, already on 23 goals for City across all competitions this season, played under Marsch when the American was head coach at Red Bull Salzburg in 2019.

"The time I had with Erling was just outstanding and we had an incredible relationship," Marsch said. "I have some ideas of things we will try to do, but it will come down to luck on the day in certain moments.

"I know how good he is. You have to have a keen awareness of where he is at all times and where he likes to be.

"He is often not the one that is starting the plays, but he is always thinking about where he can be so he can be finishing it and his instincts in that manner are incredibly unique."

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC 5 Live

Erling Haaland is only 22 years of age, the expectation is really high given how those first 14, 15 games went for him.

It doesn't necessarily always have to come with goals, as long as he can occupy some of the defenders for the Leeds side, create chances, make the right runs, help with the assists, help defensively. At the end of the day, it's good to score goals but it's a team game.

As long as somebody scores a goal, that's all that matters but if you just believe that City will only be successful if he scores, I don't think they will end the season with anything in the trophy cabinet.

It didn't take long for Erling Haaland to match his father Alf Inge's tally of 18 Premier League goals.

Just 13 games, in fact...

Phil Dawkes
BBC Sport at Elland Road

Image source, BBC Sport

As I said, the pitch is looking in decent nick. That's the Amazon lads setting up near the front of the photo. Staunchly sticking to the pitchside approach, despite the threat of rain. They're a hardy bunch, these ex-pros!

Turning to current players, it remains to be seen whether Leeds fans are treated to a reunion with former midfielder Kalvin Phillips tonight, but they will get a chance to say hello to Erling Haaland.

The striker was born in this city and is reportedly a big Leeds fan. It'll be interesting to see how they greet him... and how they might react if he puts three past their side!

Image source, Getty Images

You may have heard that the Haaland family have strong links to Leeds.

It was, after all, where Erling Haaland's father, Alf Inge, had played shortly before the birth of his son.

Rumoured to be a boyhood Whites fan as a result, Haaland visits Elland Road tonight as the Premier League's top goalscorer in his first season in the English top-flight.

Leeds boss Jesse Marsch, previously Haaland's manager at Red Bull Salzburg, says the 22-year-old had been in touch earlier in the season..

"He texted me as soon as the schedule came out," Marsch said.

"I gave him permission to have a small hamstring injury for that match!

"He was born in Leeds, his father has history here and he has the club in his heart because of that. When I got the job, him and his father were supportive. We'll expect him to be fully ready and that causes issues for us."

Image source, Getty Images

Here's a reminder of how the other nine Premier League matchday 17 fixtures have gone over the past two days:

• Brentford 2-2 Tottenham
• Chelsea 2-0 Bournemouth
• Crystal Palace 0-3 Fulham
• Everton 1-2 Wolves
• Leicester 0-3 Newcastle
• Man Utd 3-0 Nottingham Forest
• Southampton 1-3 Brighton
• Aston Villa 1-3 Liverpool
• Arsenal 3-1 West Ham