Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur: YEP Jury give their big-match predictions

Our fans’ panel are looking forward to a visit from another ‘big-six’ team tomorrow in Tottenham Hotspur. Here are their thoughts on the game.
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ANDY RHODES

With less than a handful of games to go this season, Leeds will be looking to finish strongly as they seek a first top-half Premier League finish since 2003.

Last weekend’s defeat to Brighton saw United slip to 11th place but that was Marcelo Bielsa’s first defeat in seven.

Tottenham Hotspur's potentially devastating three-pronged attack of, from left Harry Kane, Gareth Bale and Son Heung-min. Picture: Shaun Botterill/PA Wire.Tottenham Hotspur's potentially devastating three-pronged attack of, from left Harry Kane, Gareth Bale and Son Heung-min. Picture: Shaun Botterill/PA Wire.
Tottenham Hotspur's potentially devastating three-pronged attack of, from left Harry Kane, Gareth Bale and Son Heung-min. Picture: Shaun Botterill/PA Wire.
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Leeds have tightened up their defence but the back four will be tested here by the likes of Harry Kane and Gareth Bale.

Kane is the league’s top scorer while Son Heung-min has 16, two more than Patrick Bamford.

United’s attacking edge was missing last week with Raphinha and Helder Costa both missing.

The summer may see reinforcements come in but, for now, an immediate solution is needed.

Kalvin Phillips is a doubt for tomorrow's clash with Tottenham. Picture: Michael Regan/PA Wire.Kalvin Phillips is a doubt for tomorrow's clash with Tottenham. Picture: Michael Regan/PA Wire.
Kalvin Phillips is a doubt for tomorrow's clash with Tottenham. Picture: Michael Regan/PA Wire.
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At the back, Diego Llorente and Pascal Struijk continue to impress while the return of Robin Koch has been welcome in Liam Cooper’s absence.

This is arguably Leeds’ toughest remaining fixture before the season ends but there’ll be no let-up from Bielsa.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 2.

JACOB STARR

Leeds United have lost a significant threat going forward without Raphinha. Picture: Carl Recine/PA Wire.Leeds United have lost a significant threat going forward without Raphinha. Picture: Carl Recine/PA Wire.
Leeds United have lost a significant threat going forward without Raphinha. Picture: Carl Recine/PA Wire.

We’re all hoping it was a ‘one off’ but, if Leeds United decide to play like they did against Brighton last weekend, then we could be in for a miserable afternoon against one of the deadliest duos in world football.

Harry Kane and Son Heung-min have 37 goals between them so far this season, and have assisted each other for 14 of those, making them the deadliest partnership in a single season in Premier League history.

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Tottenham don’t just have those two to rely on, though, with Gareth Bale netting a hat-trick in a 4-0 rout of Sheffield United on Sunday, as they look to make a late push for Europe under the guidance of interim manager Ryan Mason.

United should be looking at the unbeaten month of April for a confidence booster as to why Saturday’s contest can go their way.

Some Leeds United fans reckon Ian Poveda deserves a start spot against Spurs. Picture: Paul Terry/Sportimage.Some Leeds United fans reckon Ian Poveda deserves a start spot against Spurs. Picture: Paul Terry/Sportimage.
Some Leeds United fans reckon Ian Poveda deserves a start spot against Spurs. Picture: Paul Terry/Sportimage.

Regardless of the personnel, it seems as though the Whites relish and perform well when one of the so-called ‘big six’ visits Elland Road. Despite that, we’re all crossing our fingers that Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha sneak back into the line-up.

On paper, Spurs is the toughest of our last four fixtures so, if we come out of that unscathed, then it will be looking promising for our nice little mini league with Aston Villa and Arsenal.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1.

KEITH INGHAM

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Tomorrow gives Leeds a good chance to put last weekend’s defeat behind them when they welcome Spurs to Elland Road for the penultimate home game of the season.

The Londoners won their home game with Leeds 3-0 but, despite having an expensive-looking squad, they look like missing out on the top-four place.

The ‘special one’, Jose Mourinho, left a couple of weeks ago, leaving Ryan Mason in charge until the end of the season.

And with the season running to its end, it will be interesting to see where Leeds finish this term. European football is now out of the question thankfully because, although this squad has done superbly, it’s not strong enough to cross the sea onto foreign shores.

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A good set of additions in the summer will, hopefully, continue to improve the chances of becoming able to challenge for this.

A total of 50-plus points is still achievable and that should start tomorrow against Spurs.

All things considered, I think Leeds should be able to get at least a point out of the game with Spurs.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1.

DAVID WATKINS

Another Super League rebel arrives at Elland Road this weekend – the fifth we have faced in eight games! The good news is, we are unbeaten in the previous four!

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In fact, a draw with Spurs would complete a full house of draws from the six home games with the big-six. That would be some record.

Whether we can, is anybody’s guess; forecasting Leeds’ results is like picking the lottery numbers; nigh on impossible to get right.

Spurs had a fantastic start to the season, losing just two of their first 22 games; a run that took them to the top of the table in mid-December.

Their form then went out of the window from late January with five defeats in six matches, a run that ultimately cost Jose Mourinho his job.

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Defeat at Brighton was a huge disappointment and came as another reality check, reminding us just how tough this league is so a positive response is needed.

But Spurs have some real quality and a certain Gareth Bale is in great form. I’ll be happy to complete that full house of home draws.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 2.

MIKE GILL

United’s performance against Brighton was a very poor one but one of the most impressive features of this season has been that the Whites rarely play badly in successive games – it must have something to do with the coaching!

Spurs visit Elland Road on tomorrow minus the ‘special one’, with a confusing set of recent results behind them and a five-point gap separating them from Champions League qualification.

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Their collection of multi-talented players still has much to play for but whether interim coach Ryan Mason can get the best out of them remains to be seen.

United have only their pride and self-esteem to play for but this is usually enough for them. As well as missing Kalvin Phillips, the lack of width was a big worry against Brighton and with Raphinha a doubt and Helder Costa out for the season, then surely Ian Poveda deserves a start.

This match is a tough one to call. On paper, Spurs should give Leeds a good hiding but I’m backing our Whites to bounce back.

Prediction: Leeds United 2 Tottenham Hotspur 1.

MATTHEW EVANS

We really are at the back end of a season that, satisfying as it has been on the pitch, hasn’t quite felt real, what with the remote nature of all the games and having to watch Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds through the eyes of the untrained pundits and world-weary commentators that Sky, BT and Amazon have put through their paces by televising every single game.

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It goes without saying that this is not the return to the Premier League any of us would have wanted but the men who pull on the shirt and everybody in the support teams have done us proud.

It’s almost irrelevant whether Tottenham become the fourth team to do a league double over us, especially if you overlook the small matter of prize money.

It’d be nice to end the season with a bang and ensure that we’ve taken points from all of the ‘big six’ and this might be the last-ever game at Elland Road that is played behind closed doors.

At least let’s hope it is. I think, with tired legs and tired minds, we’ll manage to sneak a point but, like our previous couple of games, I don’t expect a classic.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Tottenham Hotspur 1.

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