Three aspects of Ryan Mason's Tottenham Hotspur system for Leeds United to look out for

IN the latest of this season's new series for the Yorkshire Evening Post, Jon Mackenzie takes a deeper look at Leeds United's next opponents - Tottenham Hotspur.
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It’s been quite the season for Tottenham Hotspur.

Beginning the season with one of the most eminent managers in world football, they will end the season with a coach who will have less than double-figure games in senior management.

With that in mind, it’s somewhat tricky to anticipate how Spurs will set up when Leeds play them at the weekend.

BACK IN THE FOLD: Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli. Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.BACK IN THE FOLD: Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli. Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.
BACK IN THE FOLD: Tottenham Hotspur's Dele Alli. Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images.
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But here are three aspects of Ryan Mason’s system to look out for tomorrow lunchtime’s game at Elland Road:

1. Similarities and differences

Even by the time the game swings around at the weekend, Ryan Mason won’t have had too long to introduce his ideas about coaching to the Spurs team.

So far, we’ve seen him implementing a similar structure to that enjoyed by Jose Mourinho. Spurs will probably line up in a 4-2-3-1 tomorrow.

However, the early indications are that Mason is trying to make Spurs a more possession-based side than they were under Mourinho.

2. A nice structure

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That 4-2-3-1 structure matches up quite nicely to Leeds’ own 4-1-4-1 structure.

With the defensive midfielder able to latch onto the opposition number 10 and the two 8s being able to track the opposition’s double pivot – the 2 in the 4-2-3-1 – Leeds will be comfortable pressing Spurs out of possession.

Too often this season, the Leeds press has proven less than effective.

Hopefully the combination of a new manager and a favourable structure will allow Leeds to come out strongly tomorrow.

3. A dangerous forward line

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This season, Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are two of the most productive forwards in the Premier League.

Tomorrow, though, all eyes will be on two lesser-seen forwards in the Spurs line-up.

Gareth Bale and Dele Alli were out of favour during the Mourinho tenure but now find themselves re-introduced to the side.

With all four together, that is quite a fearsome forward line. The Leeds defence will have to be on top form.

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Jon Mackenzie runs All Stats Aren’t We, a Leeds United media channel that focuses on the tactical and statistical aspects of the game.

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Thank you Laura Collins