Leeds United host Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League's early Saturday kick-off at Elland Road, with Spurs chasing a fourth successive league win. Both managers made adjustments to their starting elevens, according to team news reported by the BBC.
Daniel Farke made two changes to the Leeds side that lost 2-0 at Bournemouth last weekend. Sean Longstaff and Lukas Nmecha come in, with Harry Wilson and Dan James dropping out. Leeds line up with Trafford in goal; Bogle, Justin, Elvedi, Muharemovic and Gudmundsson across the back; Ampadu, Longstaff and Tanaka in midfield; and Nmecha alongside Calvert-Lewin up front.
Roberto De Zerbi made a single change from the team that beat Crystal Palace, bringing in Pedro Porro for Dominic Solanke. Spurs start with Kinsky in goal; Gray, Van Hecke, Van de Ven and Robertson in defence; Tonali, Fernandes, Porro, Marmoush and Kudos in midfield; and Tel leading the attack. The bench includes Gunter, Senesi, Gallagher, Maddison, Solanke, Kulusevski, Bentancur, Davies and Williams-Barnett.
Why it matters
Tottenham arrive on a run of three straight league wins and are looking to record four in a row for the first time since October 2023, the BBC reports. That sequence has lifted Spurs up the table and, according to the BBC's preview, brought a confidence to the side that has been missing for a while.
Leeds, by contrast, are searching for goals. The BBC's assessment describes their defeat at Bournemouth as somewhat unfortunate, but notes that a shortage of scoring is turning into a concern for Farke's team.
The fixture also carries longer historical weight. Tottenham have lost only one of the past 15 Premier League meetings between the clubs, a record stretching back almost 25 years, per the BBC.
De Zerbi welcomes title ambition
Spurs' recent form has coincided with renewed talk about the club's long-term aims. Earlier this week, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham said Tottenham's ultimate goal is to win the Premier League, and De Zerbi said he was pleased to hear it.
The Tottenham boss said ambition is essential for anyone working at the club, but argued that words alone are not sufficient. He said the mentality has to be demonstrated daily and match by match, and he credited Venkatesham, the Lewis family and Johan Lange with making significant changes behind the scenes over the past two seasons.
De Zerbi added that he, his staff and the players must show their best selves through the right behaviour and attitude, and by delivering results.
A mixed picture in the numbers
Tottenham's shot volume this season has been among the league's highest — 148 attempts, the fourth-most in the Premier League, according to the BBC. Their expected goals figure of 11.7, however, places them in the bottom half, suggesting the chances created have not always matched the quality of the opportunities.
Spurs finished 17th in each of the last two campaigns before a summer overhaul that brought 10 new players to the club.
The BBC's preview predicted a tight contest at Elland Road, judging that Leeds are unlikely to win but that Tottenham may not extend their run to four victories either.
What to watch
Whether Tottenham's shot count translates into better-quality chances against a Leeds side desperate to find the net — and whether De Zerbi's men can match the ambition now being voiced at board level with a fourth straight result.
