This game has something riding on it for both sides as Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur face off in a clash that could see the hosts relegated after three seasons in the top flight, or the visitors miss out on European football for the first time in over a decade.
Leeds have lurched from one bad decision to another this season, Jesse Marsch followed by Javi Gracia followed by Sam Allardyce, the latter of whom could face consecutive relegations in Premier League jobs after overseeing West Bromwich Albion’s drop to the second tier in 2020/21. Spurs, meanwhile, have seen Antonio Conte ruthlessly take apart his squad and his assistant Cristian Stellini sacked in horrific circumstances leaving Ryan Mason to oversee a dismal end to the season.
These are two poor footballing sides but their issues could lead to an enjoyable end of season affair, perfect for a bet builder. For your benefit, we’ve put together all the data to give the best and most up-to-date information to create your own Leeds vs Spurs bet builder. For more information on how to use our stats packs, click here.
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LEEDS VS tottenham PREDICTED LINEUPS
Allardyce left with Gnonto many choices up top
With Patrick Bamford and Crysencio Summerville injured, Sam Allardyce hasn’t got too many choices to play with up top so teenager Wilfried Gnonto could make his first start since the loss against Manchester City with Rodrigo reverting to his normal striking position. At the other end, Joel Robles is likely to remain in net with Pascal Struijk also keeping his place.
One last roll of the dice for Mason
Ryan Mason has tried plenty in a bid to find a winning formula but little has succeeded. He gave a rare start to Arnaut Danjuma last time out and he could be replaced by Richarlison as Spurs look to hurt a poor Leeds side. Yves Bissouma has had a difficult year but should retain his spot after a decent display against Brentford.
LEEDS VS tottenham TEAM STATS
Leeds cannot defend
Leeds don’t give up as many shots as other teams but their propensity for allowing high quality chances has left them in a dire situation heading into the final weekend, comfortably underachieving their xG against to concede two goals per game. Discipline has clearly taken a hit as a result of their poor defensive structure – no teams has picked up as many yellow cards as Leeds.
Spurs also cannot defend
The crumb of comfort for Leeds is that Spurs are also abysmal defensively, conceding at least 11 goals more than any other top half Premier League side and underperforming their xGA by 0.38 per game. The reason they sit in the top half and not the bottom is because they are at least ruthless in the final third, outscoring their xGF by 0.3. It’s little wonder there has been over 2.5 goals in nine of their last 11 matches.
LEEDS VS tottenham SHOTS AND SHOTS ON TARGET STATS
Koch shots could be a bonus for Leeds
Sam Allardyce has struggled to find reliable players since taking over as Leeds United boss so he has at least been thankful for the return of Spaniard Rodrigo, who has had a shot on target in all three matches under the 68-year-old. Allardyce was always going to want a dominant presence at the base of his midfield and he has found a solution in centre-back Robin Koch, who has managed a shot on target in both matches in that position.
Mason has Kane and Son firing
It’s been a difficult campaign for Heung-Min Son, the South Korean has not managed to reach the levels of previous campaigns but he has found his mojo again under Ryan Mason, firing three or more shots in five of his last eight matches and having a shot on target in six. Harry Kane hasn’t had so many problems, the England and Spurs captain has had a shot on target in his last eight matches.
LEEDS VS tottenham GOALS AND ASSISTS STATS
Reliable Rodrigo Leeds’ best hope
Rodrigo has had a hit-and-miss campaign thanks to injuries but his quality has shone when available, scoring 13 goals from 7.9 xG in 20.5 90’s of football, a hugely impressive record for a side so short on quality going forward. If he is to score again, Jack Harrison is the most likely man to find him, the winger with seven assists this season is back playing in his preferred spot on the left.
Kane caning nets at Spurs
When you’ve got Harry Kane in your starting XI, you play to give him chances and he has more than proven he can take them – England’s record goalscorer has 28 goals from 20.5 xG and 23 non-penalty goals from 15.8 xG. As ever, his closest ally is Heung-Min Son, the forward has chipped in with a combined 15 goal contributions despite a difficult campaign.
LEEDS VS tottenham PASSING STATS
Leeds are going to play with structure, not possession
Since taking the reins at Leeds, Allardyce has overseen matches in which they have had 20, 36 and 41% of the ball. That is unlikely to change despite playing Spurs at Elland Road. Notably, they are likely to be without four of the five players that have attempted most passes this season per 90 minutes and it’s unlikely Pascal Struijk, Luke Ayling and Maximilian Wober are going to make 50 or more here. One to avoid for your bet builder.
Mason looking for his side to dominate
Since taking sole charge of the team, Ryan Mason has seen his team dominate the ball against three teams outside of the top five, so it stands to reason they will do so against Leeds. Clement Lenglet could be your best bet here, the French centre-half averages 66.6 passes per 90 across the campaign, attempting 91, 78 and 88 in his last three.
LEEDS CARDS AND FOULS STATS
Allardyce asking his players to break the game up
When your game is about structure, breaking the game up becomes key and Leeds are certainly doing that under Sam Allardyce: Rodrigo and Patrick Bamford committed six fouls in their last two and a half matches and Robin Koch has committed five in his last three matches. Elsewhere, Pascal Struijk is worth looking at – the defender has committed a foul in his last six matches when playing left-back. There are several options for your bet builder.
As you would anticipate, it’s the Spurs attack receiving most of the kicks from opposition players. Harry Kane will be in and around a unit of strapping defensive players and has been fouled in eight of his last nine matches, including twice or more in five of those. Dejan Kulusevski will find himself in the right half-spaces and has been fouled in five of his last seven appearances.
Leeds vs Tottenham Key Matchups
Maximilian Wober vs Harry Kane
Robin Koch vs Dejan Kulusevski
Pascal Struijk vs Richarlison
tottenham CARDS AND FOULS STATS
Mason’s defence being called into action
Spurs have had an issue with structure all season and that has been shown plenty by their defensive unit committing a large number of fouls. It’s especially the case in midfield where Oliver Skipp has committed a foul in his last four matches while the returning Yves Bissouma committed two in 90 minutes against Brentford and one in 33 minutes against Aston Villa.
It’s actually the left-hand side that could come under most stress, however. Wilfried Gnonto could be in line for his second start under Sam Allardyce due to Patrick Bamford’s injury – he has been fouled six times in his last two matches. Behind him, Luke Ayling will be desperate to prove himself after an up-and-down year and his forays forward have led to him being fouled around 1.5 times per 90 minutes.
Leeds vs Tottenham Key Matchups
Ben Davies vs Wilfried Gnonto
Heung-Min Son vs Luke Ayling
Oliver Skipp vs Adam Forshaw
Leeds vs Tottenham bet builder tips and picks of the pack
It’s a must win for Leeds, and with so much on the line, I just had to put together my own picks using the stats above.
Leeds vs Tottenham
28th May
kick off 16:30 Over 2.5 Goals
Two teams combined concede 3.78 goals per game
9 of Spurs’ last 11 matches finished with over 2.5 cards
Over 2.5 goals in 11 of Leeds’ last 12
Leeds concede average of 2 goals per game
Spurs concede 1.68 goals per game and score 1.78
10 of Spurs’ last 11 matches finished with both teams scoring
Both teams scored in each of Leeds’ last 12 matches
Leeds over 1.5 cardsLeeds average 2.41 cards per game
Spurs draw 2.11 cards per game
Tottenham over 1.5 cardsSpurs average 2.16 cards per game
Leeds draw 1.86 cards per game
