Tottenham Hotspur are bracing themselves for a tough fight ahead as they welcome Leeds United on Sunday. It will be the second game in charge for new manager Antonio Conte, who is hoping to turn things around in North London and restore the club’s lost glory. Spurs are currently ninth in the league table, but a win this weekend could potentially see them crack the top seven by the end of the Gameweek.
Leeds United, on the other hand, are dawdling at the bottom end of the table with just 11 points in 11 matches. Despite losing only four times, the Whites have secured only two victories and are in desperate need of points, as they look to get out of the relegation scrap before the turn of the year.
Talking Tactics
Tottenham
Tottenham‘s new coach Antonio Conte has already established his tried and tested three-man backline. It is to reinforce the defensive unit while adding additional solidity in possession. As for the attack, the width could be provided by the two wingbacks, who also work closely with the advanced midfielders to create combination play in the final third.
Leeds United
Marcelo Bielsa, meanwhile, may once again resort to a 4-1-4-1, with an aggressive press that will look to take advantage of Tottenham’s depleted midfield department. With Patrick Bamford out, the Argentine will need to be creative with his attacking solution, with Dan James and Rodrigo Moreno likely to act as the auxiliary number nine.
Team News
Tottenham
Conte is missing some key players heading into this game including Cristian Romero, who has picked up a muscle injury during the international break while Oliver Skipp is suspended. Both the midfielders in Pierre-Emile Hjobjerg and Giovani Lo Celso are also doubts due to their respective injuries, although we are expecting the former to return to full fitness in time.
Leeds United
For the Whites, they are missing out on the key trifecta of Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling and Robin Koch. The fitness issues of Junior Firpo and Jamie Shackleton may also rule them out of the game, potentially forcing Bielsa to make difficult defensive changes to his team.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham: Lloris; Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Emerson, Hojbjerg, Winks, Reguilon; Lucas, Kane, Son
Leeds United: Meslier; Dallas, Llorente, Cooper, Struijk; Phillips; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Forshaw, Harrison; James
Prediction
Tottenham 1-1 Leeds United
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