Tottenham Hotspur host a promising Leeds United this weekend as both teams look to improve on their points tally moving into the final few fixtures before the World Cup break. Having endured an excruciating loss against Liverpool in their last league outing, Spurs will be keen on bouncing back to winning ways whilst the visitors will be looking to maintain their encouraging run of results; having secured maximum points in each of their last two league ties heading into Saturday’s fixture.
Although struggling for consistency in results, Spurs will be keen on picking up maximum points in a bid to remain in the top four before the World Cup break. Likely to face a tenacious Leeds side looking to build their confidence moving into the upcoming games, the hosts will be keen on a solid performance in a bid to pick up maximum points over the coming fixtures.
On the other hand, having secured compelling victories in their last two league outings, Leeds will be keen on securing a third consecutive victory on Saturday. Aiming to break into the top half of the table before the World Cup break, the Yorkshire outfit are expected to employ a proactive approach as they look to pick up maximum points against Spurs at the weekend.
When & Where?
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Date: Saturday, 12th October 2022.
Time: 15:00 GMT.
Match Officials
Referee: Michael Salisbury.
Assistant Referees: James Mainwaring, Derek Eaton.
Fourth Official: Graham Scott.
VAR Official: Paul Tierney.
Team News
Tottenham Hotspur
Cristian Romero and Heung-Min Son remain unavailable owing to injuries although Antonio Conte is likely to be granted a boost with both Dejan Kulusevski and Richarlison expected to be included in the match-day squad on Saturday. Ryan Sessegnon, too, is unlikely to be part of the match-day squad at the weekend having needed to play through injury against Nottingham Forest in their EFL cup tie on Wednesday.
In need of three points, Conte is expected to deploy a strong starting line-up, with both Kulusevski and Richarlison in contention to be included in the starting line-up while Ivan Perisic is expected to slot back at left-back on Saturday.
🎙 “We want to finish in the best possible way”
Antonio Conte spoke to the media ahead of tomorrow’s game against Leeds United ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/DBt9b6Hk6I
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) November 11, 2022
Leeds United
Stuart Dallas and Luis Sinisterra remain out of contention until the end of the World Cup while the availability of Archie Gray, Adam Forshaw, and Patrick Bamford remains uncertain for the weekend. Joe Gelhardt’s fitness is likely to be assessed before the tie against Spurs, although both Tyler Adams and Brenden Aaronson are expected to return to the starting line-up with Crysencio Summerville, too, expected to slot into the left-hand-side of attack this weekend.
Match Analysis
With both teams needing three points, Saturday’s tie is expected to produce a scintillating match-up on the pitch. Although expected to adopt a balanced approach, Spurs will be looking to seek advantage of Leeds’ vulnerable defence whilst the visitors will be looking to make the best of their goal-scoring opportunities this weekend.
Having struggled to keep clean sheets amidst their run of inconsistent results, Spurs will be keen on avoiding a poor result on Saturday. With Leeds expected to employ a high-pressing approach in a bid to earn possession high up the pitch, Spurs will be keen on making the best use of possession whilst looking to utilise the flanks in a bid to progress up the pitch at the weekend. However, having lost each of their last two outings across all competitions, the hosts will be keen on bouncing back to winning ways whilst being wary of the consequence of a negative result this Saturday.
Meanwhile, heading into the fixture on the back of an impressive run of results, Leeds will be looking for nothing but three points this weekend. Expected to employ a proactive approach in a bid to counter Spurs’ efficient mid-block whilst looking to exploit spaces high up the pitch, the visitors will be looking to remain compact in defence alongside maximising their attacking prowess on Saturday. With the team having scored a commendable number of goals in recent outings, Leeds will be keen on an early breakthrough against Spurs at the weekend.
Key Players
Ivan Perisic – Tottenham Hotspur
Expected to be tested on Saturday, Perisic will be keen on delivering a notable performance at the weekend. Having added value to Spurs’ attacking prowess when utilised at left-back, the Croatian will be keen on providing adequate defence cover whilst nullifying Leeds’ strength down the left flank on Saturday.
Rodrigo Moreno – Leeds United
Having found the back of the net in each of his last two league outings, Rodrigo will be keen on maintaining his excellent goal-scoring form over the coming fixtures. Likely to pose a challenge for Spurs’ defence owing to his movement and finishing within the box, the Spaniard will be looking to make the best of his goal-scoring opportunities this weekend.
Predicted Lineups
Tottenham Hotspur predicted lineup vs Leeds United: Hugo Lloris; Eric Dier, Clement Lenglet, Ben Davies; Emerson Royal, Pierre Emile-Hojbjerg, Rodrigo Bentancur, Ivan Perisic; Richarlison, Harry Kane, Dejan Kulusevksi.
Leeds United predicted lineup vs Tottenham Hotspur: Illan Meslier; Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Pascal Struijk; Tyler Adams, Marc Roca; Jack Harrison, Brenden Aaronson, Crysencio Summerville; Rodrigo Moreno.
