Leeds United might have safety secured by the time they kick off but three players have personal scores to settle
This could well be the weekend Leeds United mathematically secure their place in next year’s Premier League.
Destiny is in their own hands, although West Ham United might make this irrelevant should they lose to high-flying Arsenal on Sunday evening. Sitting seven points behind Leeds, they need to win to realistically keep United in the relegation frame.
A draw would not make things officially done but Leeds’ superior goal difference of 14 means it is effectively sealed before the Whites kick off against Tottenham Hotspur on Monday evening. But the squad needs to stay focused regardless, of course.
Should West Ham do the unthinkable and beat Arsenal then Leeds would need to defeat a rejuvenated Spurs side under Roberto De Zerbi to mathematically complete the job. And all without the injured Noah Okafor and Gabriel Gudmundsson too.
The task is far from easy yet Leeds can take confidence that they are unbeaten in six away games and have lost just once on the road since November. Sunday will determine whether Monday is a free hit or a proverbial six-pointer.
De Zerbi’s impact
Aston Villa admittedly fielded a much-rotated side in Tottenham’s last game but the team looked far more organised and regimented under De Zerbi’s guidance, who is now four matches into his tenure.
Back-to-back wins have restored belief into the squad, which had previously not won a single Premier League game in 2026. This Tottenham side is not the one of even a fortnight ago.
They furthermore play on home soil for the first time since those victories and the fans will now be urging their team on rather than on their backs. It would be interesting to see if the mood changes if Leeds either hold a lead or parity going into the final embers of the match.
De Zerbi has got his team playing more fluidly with a tendency to attack the space - so should Leeds bank up in defence, it will be a test of his team’s recent resurgence. It is therefore important that Leeds take the lead first.
Relegation revenge
There is a minor side-story to the game itself, regardless of how West Ham fare. Spurs sent Leeds down in 2023 when they ran out 4-1 winners at Elland Road, with the hosts needing to win on the final day.
Pascal Struijk - a minor doubt for the game with a hip issue - as well as Brenden Aaronson, Wilfried Gnonto and the now-shunned Illan Meslier were all part of the matchday squad that day. The first three will be determined to enact some kind of revenge.
There is the reality that a defeat for West Ham will inject more hope into the veins of Tottenham on Monday. That circumstance would offer them the chance to go four points clear of the relegation zone with two matches to go.
Then, defeat a fractured Chelsea - who will have an eye on the FA Cup final - in their penultimate game and Spurs will survive. Keeping Tottenham down there won’t be at the forefront of the minds of the aforementioned quartet but it might linger in the background somewhere.
Knock-on effect of Farke’s absence
Farke has been unwell this week and was not at work on Thursday having battled his illness for a few days. He is expected on the touchline on Monday, though.
Assistant coach Edmund Riemer took the pre-match press conference and will have likely presided over proceedings during the time Farke was absent. Messages will have been passed on but obviously it is not the same as the boss himself being present.
It is not ideal preparation for the game, albeit it is not known whether he indeed returned to work after Thursday. He will not be at 100% tilt either way and it only makes gearing up for Monday more difficult, naturally.
Will we see this in leeds' performance on the pitch? Will it even matter? By Sunday night it could all be over and done with. That would help Farke feel a lot better.