Next up for Leeds United in their bid to survive relegation from the Premier League is the welcome of Tottenham Hotspur, and the reigniting of a rivalry with manager Thomas Frank.
Frank’s rivalry with Leeds stems from the promotion run-ins Leeds faced with Brentford in the second tier, worsened by the transfer of Pontus Jansson from Elland Road to Brentford during Marcelo Bielsa’s reign.
In the summer, Frank finally left Brentford and joined Tottenham. The Dane has made an impressive start to life at Spurs, having replaced Ange Postecoglou, who himself is struggling over at Nottingham Forest.
Leeds will be without Dan James, but could be set to welcome back Willy Gnonto and Lucas Perri after spells on the sidelines. Tottenham are without a whole host of players, including James Maddison.
Daniel Farke’s record against Tottenham boss Thomas Frank
Obviously, Farke is yet to meet Frank as Leeds manager, and Frank has only ever faced Leeds as Brentford manager. The two have done battle on five occasions, though, in games between Norwich and Brentford.
Remarkably, and especially given how Brentford have overtaken Norwich during Frank’s tenure, Farke has never suffered defeat to Frank. Farke has picked up three wins as Norwich manager against Brentford.
Two draws have been shared between Farke and Frank. On Saturday, Frank would need to do something for the first time if his Spurs side are to come to Leeds and manage to beat Farke’s men on Saturday.
Leeds’ last 10 games against Tottenham, including the last win
As you might imagine, Leeds don’t have a brilliant record against Spurs given they have been a top-four side for much of the last 20 years. Of the last 10 games, Tottenham have been victorious seven times.
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Leeds have won on two occasions, while one draw coming in the last 10. Leeds’ last win came during Marcelo Bielsa’s reign, a 3-1 win over Spurs in which Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo scored.
The October break follows the clash against Tottenham, before Leeds face two pivotal relegation battles against Burnley at Turf Moor and then West Ham at Elland Road. Two huge games for Farke’s men.