Leeds United boosted for last 'big guns' test as Tottenham wake up in Yorkshire

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Not the season finale, but certainly Leeds United s last test against a firmly established Premier League 'big gun' of the 2020-21 campaign.

No disrespect to fellow remaining opponents Southampton, Burnley or West Brom that is.

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Harry Kane, Gareth Bale, Son Heung-min - take your pick in terms of dangermen as sixth-placed Tottenham Hotspur head for West Yorkshire today.

THREATS: Gareth Bale, middle, celebrates with Harry Kane, bottom, Lucas Moura, left, and Son Heung-Min, top, after scoring Tottenham's second goal in March's 4-1 victory at home to Crystal Palace. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images.THREATS: Gareth Bale, middle, celebrates with Harry Kane, bottom, Lucas Moura, left, and Son Heung-Min, top, after scoring Tottenham's second goal in March's 4-1 victory at home to Crystal Palace. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images.
THREATS: Gareth Bale, middle, celebrates with Harry Kane, bottom, Lucas Moura, left, and Son Heung-Min, top, after scoring Tottenham's second goal in March's 4-1 victory at home to Crystal Palace. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images.

Interim Spurs boss Ryan Mason held his pre-match press conference at 9am this morning so that his side could set off in plenty of time thereafter with an overnight stay before tomorrow's 12.30pm kick-off against Marcelo Bielsa's Whites.

Spurs are also looking to become just the fourth team this season to complete a league double over the Whites, four months on from January's 3-0 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium under Jose Mourinho.

Jose is now packing his bags for Roma but Spurs and in particular Bale are flying and if Leeds produce a similar performance to the one witnessed last weekend at Brighton then United will take a hiding.

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But if Bielsa's side can beat champions-elect Manchester City with ten men then they sure as hell can beat Spurs and it speaks volumes that only Brighton, West Ham and Wolves have done the 'double' over Leeds so far.

At the turn of the year, Bielsa was faced with a question at one of his pre-match press conferences about his side's poor record against the division's top teams.

Following an epic victory at City in the midst of draws against Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United, suddenly that record is seen in a rather different light considering that United also won 3-1 at Leicester City in January's final game.

Quite what happened at Brighton is still a bit of a head-scratcher but Whites no 9 Patrick Bamford felt his side's efforts throughout a hugely demanding April ultimately took their toll.

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But a full week off has followed since as Leeds gear up for their last big one and it might well be that star men injury doubts Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha do feature after all.

Both were filmed in a training video at Thorp Arch today which is not to say they will be starting or even involved against Spurs but Bielsa nevertheless seems to have been handed a double boost.

Spurs are now seeking another boost in their bid to qualify for the Champions League - yet Leeds now have history when it comes to upsetting the 'big guns'.

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Thank you Laura Collins

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