Leeds United hope to snap referee losing streak when Tottenham Hotspur visit Elland Road

EVENTFUL OPENER - Leeds United had two penalties awarded against them at Liverpool on the first day of the season, with Michael Oliver as referee and Paul Tierney as VAR. The duo take the same roles for the visit to Elland Road of Spurs on Saturday. Pic: Getty

The 36-year-old, who before this season hadn't refereed the Whites since February 2016's FA Cup defeat at Watford, officiated their 4-3 defeat at Anfield on the opening day, and the 2-1 home defeats at the hands of West Ham and Everton.

Leeds have also lost two of the three games for which Oliver was in charge of VAR - a 1-0 home loss to Wolves and the 3-1 defeat at Chelsea. He was the video assistant referee for their 1-0 win over Burnley at Elland Road, when Clarets boss Sean Dyche was upset by the awarding of a penalty to Leeds for Nick Pope's challenge on Patrick Bamford and the ruling out of Ashley Barnes' goal. Match referee Rob Jones blew his whistle for a foul on Illan Meslier by Ben Mee.

Oliver ratified Jones' decision for the Leeds penalty and did not intervene when it came to the disallowed goal.

"The rule as I understand it is that if they give it too quick then that is the referee's decision," said Dyche.

"I have spoken to the powers that be about this, and I am a fan of VAR, but there are certain decisions that have to be overturned by VAR. I think that is where VAR over-rides the ref."

Oliver, who will be assisted by Stuart Burt and Simon Bennett this weekend, has taken charge of 37 games this season, showing 111 yellow cards, four reds and awarding 23 penalties.

Three of those penalties were given in games involving Leeds, including two that went to Liverpool at Anfield and the one scored by Mateusz Klich against West Ham.

Paul Tierney will be in control of VAR on Saturday, as he was when Oliver refereed the Whites' season opener against Liverpool, with Neil Davies his assistant.