Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side will face Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on Saturday lunchtime (12:30pm).
The Whites take on the North London based outfit, who are looking to finish the season strongly and secure a Champions League spot, whereas Leeds are aiming to finish with as many wins as possible themselves, and earn a place in the top 10.
The forward partnership of Harry Kane and Son Heung-Min boast an incredible goal and assist record between them this season. The pairing are responsible for a staggering 60 goal involvements, when adding their stats together.
Considering Spurs have scored exactly 60 goals this season, saying that Kane and Son have been at the forefront of their attacks would certainly be an understatement.
Completing one of the most potent front three threats in world football currently, is Gareth Bale. The winger netted a hat-trick last time out, taking his tally to nine goals thus far in the league.
Now in charge of Tottenham is former player, Ryan Mason. The midfielder was forced to retire from football early due to a serious head injury, but is now back at his boyhood club and has had an impressive start to life in the dugout, winning his first two Premier League matches.
Until last weekend’s loss to Brighton, Leeds were on an unbeaten run of six matches. That included games against Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool.
If the Whites avoid defeat to Tottenham on Saturday, they would become the first club to be undefeated at home against the ‘traditional’ big since 2015/16, when West Ham achieved this.
Leeds’ home form this season is the eighth best in the division, in a year that has seen more away wins than usual. Just looking at away form, Spurs are in 10th position in the table, with seven wins from their 17 matches on the road.
If the Londoners take their tally to eight wins away from home, they will go above West Ham and move into fifth position and close the gap to Chelsea in fourth.
A Leeds win would continue the mini-league leapfrogging with Aston Villa and Arsenal, moving the Whites back into ninth position, a point above the Gunners. A draw would see no movement, remaining in 11th spot.
Manager/head coach
Leeds: Marcelo Bielsa
Spurs: Ryan Mason (Interim)
League position
Leeds: 11th
Spurs: 6th
Premier League form
Leeds: WWDDL
Spurs: DLDWW
Premier League top scorer
Leeds: Patrick Bamford (14)
Spurs: Harry Kane (21)
Head to head
Leeds: 32
Draws: 29
Spurs: 37
Last time at Elland Road
27th January, 2013
FA Cup
Leeds United 2 (Varney 15’, McCormack 50’)
Tottenham Hotspur 1 (Dempsey 58’)
Team news
Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips are facing late calls on whether they will be fit enough to play, Marcelo Bielsa confirmed in his pre-match press conference. The Leeds United head coach also stated that Helder Costa will miss the rest of the season, following injury.
Tottenham will be without Ben Davies, who is the only player confirmed to be missing from Ryan Mason’s squad. Lucas Moura and Tanguy Ndombele have recovered from knocks and will be available.
Officials
Referee - Michael Oliver
Assistant Referee 1 - Stuart Burt
Assistant Referee 2 - Simon Bennett
Fourth Official - Chris Kavanagh
Video Assistant Referee - Paul Tierney
The key battle
Kalvin Phillips vs Harry Kane
Last time out on home turf, Phillips put in a superb display that had all onlookers admiring his performance. He stopped chief creator Bruno Fernandes from having a moments piece.
This season, Kane has once again been lethal in front of goal, but his creativity has also been exceptional. If the Whites are to put in another solid display defensively, keeping Kane quiet will be the main task, and Phillips as always can play a key role in that, if he is deemed fit enough to play.
Latest odds
Leeds: 5/2
Draw: 13/5
Spurs: 1/1
How to watch
The game will be broadcast on BT Sport, with live commentary on LUTV.
