Leeds United have “nothing to lose” when Neil Warnock’s side travel to the champions of England on Sunday, writes Oscar Pearson.

When Leeds last faced Manchester City in the FA Cup, the match saw a team soaring in the top-flight play a struggling side that had plummeted out of the First Division – now the roles of the two protagonists have been reversed with Leeds on the slide.

Warnock’s focus for the remainder of this campaign will surely be on finishing as high as possible in the Championship, but a good performance against the Premier League title-holders would be just what his players need.

Since edging past Tottenham in the fourth round last month, Leeds have lost two and drawn one of their three league fixtures.

Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough leaves United in 11th place, eight points off the play-offs, so an opportunity for Warnock and his players to take their mind off League woes could not come at a better time.

Said Warnock: “We have some cracking games coming up.

“The next three are important and we have to go for wins, not draws.

“There’s been a lot of negativity, but we have to be positive and go for it. We have nothing to lose now.”

Manchester City are like a wounded animal after defeat at Southampton left them 12 points behind arch-rivals Manchester United.