The Algerian was on target in a hard-fought Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool in our first competitive match since the World Cup break.
But attentions turn back to our league commitments on Wednesday evening, with Pep Guardiola’s men currently in second position and five points adrift of leaders Arsenal.
Boasting the strongest attack in the division and having lost just twice so far, City are in a healthy position to mount another title charge with the season yet to reach the halfway stage.
Nonetheless, Mahrez insists a strong start on our Premier League return at Elland Road could prove essential to those aspirations of silverware.
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“We have to hit the ground running. We are not currently top of the Premier League and that is where we want to be,” he said.
“We will take it game by game but our aim to try to win another title.
“There are lots of strong teams in England who could still win the league so we are not just focused on Arsenal, although they have been very good so far.
“If we want to win the league, we will have to be ready as soon as the league starts again.”
However, three points against a resurgent Leeds side is far from a foregone conclusion.
Victories over Liverpool and Bournemouth at the beginning of November helped steer Jesse Marsch’s men away from the Premier League trap door.
But for a dramatic late turnaround by Tottenham Hotspur in their final match before the World Cup break, the hosts would be entering Wednesday’s clash on the back of three straight league triumphs.
Mahrez is under no illusions about the threat Leeds will pose at Elland Road, but he insists he and his team-mates are fully prepared for the challenge.
He explained: “Leeds are a big club and it’s a hard place to go but we know what to expect from them.
“We will be prepared for it and hopefully we can come away with the three points.”
