Tottenham fans will not like Chris Sutton’s prediction ahead of their clash with Leeds United, as the pundit has cast doubt on their chances of taking all three points at Elland Road.
Tottenham Hotspur are preparing for a lunchtime kick-off against Leeds United this Saturday, looking to put an end to a run of two consecutive Premier League draws.
Thomas Frank’s side head into the fixture off the back of a disappointing Champions League performance against Bodo/Glimt, where they started slowly and were punished, so there is added pressure to show a stronger response this time out.
As anticipation builds, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has delivered his verdict on how he expects the contest to unfold, and his prediction is unlikely to sit well with Spurs supporters who were hoping for a more positive outlook.
Chris Sutton backs Leeds United to hold Tottenham
Speaking on BBC Sport, Sutton praised Leeds United for their impressive start to the season and pointed out the qualities that have made them a difficult side to play against.
He explained that despite suffering a heavy defeat at Arsenal, they have been competitive in every other game and could have picked up even more points had it not been for late goals conceded against Fulham and Bournemouth.
He also predicted the scoreline for their clash with Spurs, writing: “Fair play to Leeds, they have really surprised and impressed me so far. There is a good balance to their team because they carry a threat and can dig in too.
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“Apart from a heavy defeat at Arsenal, they have been competitive in every game so far and their good start would have been even better but for late goals against Fulham and Bournemouth.
“Even so, they have got more points than I expected at this stage and Daniel Farke deserves a lot of credit.
“I think there were question marks over whether he could manage at this level because of his Premier League record with Norwich but, as I’ve said before, he never really had the squad there to be able to compete.
“Tottenham have had a difficult week, having to fight back to rescue draws against Wolves and Bodo/Glimt, and this is going to be another tricky game for them.
“I can actually see it ending in another draw for Spurs. At least they played in the Arctic Circle on Tuesday night rather than Wednesday but a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday is still far from ideal, and this Champions League campaign is going to stretch their squad.”
Chris Sutton’s prediction: 1-1
Tottenham away form offers encouragement
The trip to Elland Road will be far from straightforward for Tottenham, yet their away record does offer some encouragement.
No Premier League side has picked up more points on the road this season, with Spurs collecting two wins and a draw away from home.
That record is in stark contrast to their struggles at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where results have been far less convincing.
However, one concerning trend is Tottenham’s struggles before international breaks. Spurs have failed to win their final fixture before a pause in the calendar since October 2023, and that statistic will be in the back of supporters’ minds heading into the weekend.