As the international break finally ends and we approach gameweek 12, one interesting fixture to look out for is Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds United. Several factors make this fixture interesting. Spurs manager Antonio Conte will look to redeem himself and dominate the game but when we see the head-to-head record between the two teams, Leeds has an upper hand winning 11 of the 26 times they’ve gone head to head. Predicting a winner would be very difficult but we’re definitely up for an exciting encounter.
WHERE AND WHEN?
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Date: Sunday, 21st November 2021.
Time: 16:30 BST.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Andre Marriner.
Assistant referee: Simon Long, Scott Ledger.
Fourth official: Kevin Friend.
VAR: Darren England.
Assistant VAR: Ian Hussin.
TEAM NEWS
Leeds United
Marcelo Bielsa would likely to have the same squad that he had against Leicester City. Star players Patrick Bamford and Luke Ayling remain unavailable for selection but both men are progressing ‘positively.
Tottenham Hotspur
Cristian Romero will be out for the fixture due to a hamstring injury he picked up in the World Cup qualifier for Argentina. Midfielder Giovani Lo Celso might also miss out on the game as he has a ‘little problem’ and will be assessed before Sunday. Another key midfielder to miss out on the game would be Olivier Skipp as he serves a one-match suspension after accumulating five yellow cards, the last one before the international break against Everton. There is some positive news for the Spurs fans as Bryan Gil and Ryan Sessegnon are available and back in training, with Ryan being injured since September’s international break and missing out on the last 14 games.
MATCH ANALYSIS
Leeds have been in decent form with a win against Norwich City and a draw against Leicester City before the International break. They haven’t performed on the level that they did last season with only one win in their season to date. Leeds still have to play without their star players Bamford and Ayling but have a good track record against the Spurs. Bielsa would want to continue the unbeaten run demanding a strong contribution from in-form Raphinha.
Spurs on the other hand have a lot more to improve. It is Antonio Conte’s first home game and would want to make a positive impact with a dominating win. He still has to register a win as a manager for Spurs as the first game he managed against Everton was a draw. The Spurs are the favorites and with the tactical masterclass would want to register an easy win but star striker Harry Kane is still struggling to find his form in the Premier League.
KEY PLAYERS
Leeds United – Raphinha
The Brazilian winger Raphinha has started his 2021/22 season in a scintillating style. He has stepped up in the absence of No. 9 Patrick Bamford. He is this season’s top scorer for Leeds United and has scored 5 goals in 10 matches, the majority of the goals coming from outside the penalty area. He scored the equalizing goal in the last match against Leicester City is in sensational form. The Brazilian has been one of the best wingers in goals and assists per 90 minutes. He has been a part of a select group of wingers who are above the league averages for both goals and assist per 90 minutes. He provides great support through his tactical runs and long-range ability and would be the ‘danger man’ for Leeds against Spurs.
Tottenham Hotspur – Heung-min Son
The 2021-22 season for Heung-min Son has been a mixed one registering 4 goals and 1 assist. He has been inconsistent through the season but has scored against big teams like Manchester City and Arsenal. He wasn’t being able to depict his usual attacking strength and wasn’t fitting well in the tactical plan of ex-manager Nuno Espírito Santo but with the arrival of new manager Antonio Conte who is known for his attacking playstyle, Son’s role in the team will be much more crucial. Heung-min Son has already started to adapt to Conte’s style of play as he scored a goal against Vitesse in the UEFA Europa Conference League. In his 295 appearances for the club, he has scored 112 goals and provided 66 assists which is a pretty phenomenal feat and with Conte’s tactics, he’ll definitely be one player to look out for.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Leeds United – Messier, Dallas, Cooper, Llorente, Struijk, Phillips, James, Rodrigo, Forshaw, Raphinha, Harrison.
Tottenham Hotspur – Lloris, Sanchez, Dier, Davies; Royal, Hojbjerg, Winks, Reguilon, Lucas, Son, Kane.
