Yorkshire Evening Post

Two of Leeds United’s relegation battling rivals were in action on Sunday afternoon.

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Leeds United relegation-battling rivals have been boosted ahead of Sunday’s potentially safety sealing clash between West Ham and Arsenal and Monday night’s trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

Leeds began the weekend seven points clear of third-bottom West Ham with just three games remaining, meaning a defeat for West Ham in Sunday afternoon’s 4.30pm kick-off at home to title-chasing Arsenal would leave the Whites mathematically safe.

Leeds also entered the weekend sat six points clear of Monday night’s fourth-bottom hosts Tottenham but also one point ahead of fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest and ahead of 15th-placed Crystal Palace on goal difference.

Ahead of West Ham playing Arsenal, Forest and Palace both played on Sunday afternoon in 2pm kick-offs, Palace at home to Everton and Forest hosting a Newcastle United side sat directly above Leeds and only two points ahead of them.

In a double boost for United’s rivals, both sides picked up a point, Palace drawing 2-2 against the Toffees and Forest also bagging a late leveller to seal a 1-1 draw against the visiting Magpies.

The results have led to Leeds dropping down two places in the table to 16th but with both Forest and Palace in hailing distance ahead of Monday’s game in hand at Spurs.

Forest have gone above Leeds on goal difference whilst Palace are now one point ahead of the Whites.

The point for Newcastle also made them mathematically safe from relegation, the Magpies three points ahead of Leeds but having played a game more.

At Forest, Morgan Gibbs-White was among those missing for an injury hit Reds side whose boss Vitor Pereira made three changes to the side that started Thursday evening’s Europa League semi-final second leg defeat at Aston Villa.

Chances were few and far between in the first half, Newcastle striker William Osula squandering the best opportunity when played in one on one but denied by a good save from Forest keeper Matz Selz.

After the break, a similar chance presented itself for Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi but Magpies keeper Nick Pope pulled off a similarly good save.

Back at the other end, Forest keeper Selz made two more saves to deny Bruno Guimaraes and a deflected free-kick from Osula then crashed back off the crossbar.

Joelinton was then the next player to be denied by Selz but Newcastle finally made the breakthrough in the 75th minute through Harvey Barnes who was played in by Jacob Ramsey and produced a clinical finish to finally beat Selz.

His strike looked set to prove the winning goal but former Newcastle midfielder Elliott Anderson applied a lovely finish from a tight angle in the 89th minute to seal a 1-1 draw.

Leeds United are about to discover their mathematical Premier League survival fate and Daniel Farke’s Whites are absolutely massive odds to be relegated.

Daniel Farke’s Whites visit relegation-battling rivals Tottenham Hotspur in their third last game of the season on Monday night but Leeds will already be mathematically safe from relegation if title winning Arsenal win at third-bottom West Ham today.

Leeds went into the weekend seven points clear of third-bottom West Ham, six clear of fourth-bottom West Ham, one point ahead of fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest and even above 16th-placed Crystal Palace on goal difference.

Other than already relegated Wolves, none of the teams below Leeds played on Saturday although a handful of teams just above them did in Sunderland, Fulham and even Chelsea.

Sunday, though, sees Forest visit Newcastle United and Palace host Everton in 2pm kick-offs, before the big one from a Leeds perspective as Arsenal take on West Ham at the London Stadium in a 4.30pm kick-off.

Ahead of a huge day at both ends of the table, here are the bookies’ very latest relegation odds with Leeds, Forest and Palace all absolutely massive prices to go down.

Leeds United could be mathematically safe from relegation with three games still to play today - and data experts Opta have produced their new predicted final Premier League table and points after Saturday’s results.

Daniel Farke’s Whites visit relegation-battling rivals Tottenham Hotspur in their third last game of the season on Monday night but Leeds will already be mathematically safe from relegation if title winning Arsenal win at third-bottom West Ham today.

Leeds went into the weekend seven points clear of third-bottom West Ham, six clear of fourth-bottom West Ham, one point ahead of fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest and even above 16th-placed Crystal Palace on goal difference.

Other than already relegated Wolves, none of the teams below Leeds played on Saturday although a handful of teams just above them did in Sunderland, Fulham and even Chelsea.

Sunderland began the weekend just four points above Leeds and the Black Cats took a 0-0 draw from Saturday’s hosting of Manchester United.

It means Sunderland are now five points ahead of the Whites but having played a game more, the same as Fulham who lost 1-0 at home to Bournemouth.

There is then another point up to Chelsea who took a 1-1 draw from their game at Liverpool.

Newcastle United are the team directly above 15th-placed Leeds, the Magpies two points ahead of the Whites ahead of their game at fifth-bottom Forest today.

Sealing Premier League survival is clearly United’s first priority but boss Daniel Farke has stated the importance of ending the season as strongly as possible and Leeds could yet finish on 52 points.

After Saturday’s results including title-chasing Manchester City’s 3-0 win at home to Brentford and ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games, stats experts Opta have produced their new predicted final table and points and this is how they see Leeds faring.

What Leeds United need to be mathematically safe from relegation.

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Leeds United are last to play this weekend with Monday night’s clash at Tottenham Hotspur - yet Daniel Farke’s Whites could be mathematically safe from relegation by around 6.30pm this evening.

Fourteenth-placed Leeds sit seven points clear of the Premier League drop zone with just three matches left ahead of Monday evening’s clash at fourth-bottom Tottenham who are six points adrift of the Whites.

Tottenham are only one point clear of third-bottom West Ham but it is United’s seven point gap to West Ham that could lead to Farke’s side being mathematically safe after West Ham’s hosting of title-chasing Arsenal today in a 4.30pm kick-off.

With bottom two clubs Wolves and Burnley already down, a victory for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners at West Ham would guarantee United’s top-flight survival as defeat for the Irons would leave them seven points behind Leeds with just two games left to play.

The only result that will ensure mathematical safety

An Arsenal win is the only result today that would leave Leeds mathematically safe from relegation even before playing Tottenham although a draw between the Hammers and Gunners would realistically if not mathematically ensure that Leeds won’t go down.

A point for West Ham would leave them six points behind with two games left meaning they could still draw level with Leeds on 43 points if winning their last two games away at Newcastle United at home to Leeds on the final day.

However, the Hammers would also need a huge and unrealistic goal difference swing, United’s goal difference currently standing at minus five but West Ham’s minus 19.

In practice, it means an Arsenal win or draw would be enough for Leeds fans to be able to crack open the bubbly.

A win for the Hammers, though, would bring them just four points behind the Whites and with Leeds still to play but Farke’s side would have three games left as opposed to two.

Fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest are also in action today as they host Newcastle United in a 2pm kick-off. Forest start the day one point behind the Whites.

Sixth-bottom Crystal Palace who are behind Leeds on goal difference host Everton at the same time in another 2pm start.

Former Leeds United star Archie Gray will face his former side again on Monday night with Tottenham.

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Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi has made a big Archie Gray claim and future declaration as the ex-Whites star awaits another Leeds United reunion.

Whites Academy graduate Gray made a very quick and impressive breakthrough into the Leeds first team, quickly amassing 52 appearances for the club before joining Spurs in the summer of July 2024 after United’s Championship play-off final defeat.

Just short of two years on, a now 20-year-old Gray is set to face his former club on Monday evening as Leeds face relegation-battling rivals Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in an 8pm kick-off.

After initially getting limited game time for Spurs, Gray has now racked up 80 appearances for Tottenham in a variety of positions and De Zerbi sees the youngster as future captain material for his club.

“The future of this club, the captain”

Speaking at Thursday’s pre-match press conference and as quoted by the club’s official website, De Zerbi was asked about Gray and said: “He's very young, big potential as a player, I think he can become the future. I'm sure he can become the future of this club, the captain of this club.

“He has to understand better what will be his position on the pitch, because he can play in a lot of positions, but maybe I would like him to be more specific in one position.

“We are working in that, with individual meetings, with individual clips for him, and anyway he's an important player, Palhinha didn't play the first three games, and the fourth was one of the best players on the pitch.”

Final injury news has been provided for Leeds United’s Monday night clash at relegation-battling rivals Tottenham Hotspur - for which fresh blows have left ten players out and three more doubtful despite key men coming back.

Leeds might well be mathematically safe from relegation by the time Monday’s 8pm kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium comes around as United’s Premier League status will be confirmed if title chasing Arsenal win at third-bottom West Ham on Sunday afternoon.

With bottom two clubs Wolves and Burnley already down, West Ham are seven points behind Leeds with just three games left. Because of their far inferior goal difference, even an Arsenal draw would realistically be enough to consider Leeds safe, albeit not mathematically.]

But a West Ham win would set the cat amongst the pigeons and in any case boss Daniel Farke has already declared the importance of Leeds finishing the season as strongly as possible.

That is also an absolute must for Tottenham who are finally out of the relegation zone but just one point ahead of West Ham.

It all means that Monday night’s match is absolutely huge although fresh blows have left ten players out of the contest and three more doubtful - despite key men coming back.

After the final updates from both camps, here we run through the combined final team news for both sides.

Leeds United’s fans have their say on Monday night’s clash at relegation-battling rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

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Leeds United could be mathematically safe by the time Monday night’s clash at relegation-battling rivals Tottenham Hotspur comes around - but what do the club’s fans think? Here is what our YEP Jury have had to say on Monday evening’s game including disagreement on the predictions front and also Sunday’s potentially survival sealing game between West Ham and Arsenal.

DAVID WATKINS

If they have, then, at long last, Leeds fans can relax knowing that not even the most astonishing set of results in the final two rounds of games would deny Leeds their place in the Premier League.

Due to publishing deadlines, this piece was written before we knew the result of the Hammers v Gunners clash, so we have to ignore any psychological impact the result might have on either Leeds or Spurs.

What we do know, though, is that even if West Ham do lose, Spurs will still not be safe and will need to try to get a positive result against Leeds.

It’s hard to tell whether the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi has improved Spurs; their results have improved, but their two wins from four games under De Zerbi came against a relegated Wolves and an Aston Villa side weakened by the resting of several top players as Villa juggled their league programme with their European exploits.

With so many imponderables, I’m sitting on the fence for this one.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Leeds United 2.

“None of this really concerns Leeds United”

MIKE GILL

Whatever happens over the weekend to the other teams close to the drop zone, you can be sure that Daniel Farke and his players will be approaching this game with their usual focus and concentration.

The demolition of Burnley was a professional job and the same mindset will be required for Monday’s trip to north London.

Spurs took a precious three points against a much-changed and disjointed Aston Villa side last weekend and they will be hoping that their luck is about to turn.

That they have suffered terribly with injuries this season is undeniable but their Premier League form has been woeful prior to their wins against Wolves and Aston Villa.

Perhaps Roberto de Zerbi has managed to convince his players that their club is not too big to be relegated.

None of this really concerns Leeds United, they have stated that their target is not just to avoid relegation but to finish as far up the league table as possible.

This will be a tough challenge but the Whites should be good for at least a point.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 2 Leeds United 2.

“This is Leeds and they never do anything the easy way”

KEITH INGHAM

If you listen to quite a few Leeds fans you’d think that safety was already assured after the Burnley win and getting to 43 points.

Let me remind them that this is Leeds and they never do anything the easy way, there usually is a ‘twist’ in whatever situation they find themselves in and it’s never straightforward.

Leeds travel to Spurs on Monday and they will be buoyed by away wins at Wolves and Villa that has given them a great chance of escaping the dreaded drop. They looked dead and buried without a win in 2026, but De Zerbi has instilled a little confidence and results have improved.

Leeds are looking upwards, Palace and Newcastle are close, points wise, and they are only seven points from eighth.

It would be remarkable to get anywhere near the 50-point mark and Daniel Farke has said that they aim to get as many points as possible.

If everyone is fit I’d expect Leeds to line up as they did in the last game with a midfield of Ampadu, Tanaka and Stach.

To be honest I’m surprised this trio wasn’t used before Burnley. James Justin will probably keep his place at left-back as Gabi Gudmundsson is injured.

I expect a tight game. A draw would be a good result but I think Leeds could nick it by the odd goal.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Leeds United 2.

“Removed from many of the broadcasters’ relegation graphics”

ANDY RHODES

With results going against West Ham United last weekend, their upcoming result against Arsenal on Sunday could see Leeds safe before they next kick a ball.

It would mean that the pressure would be off, not that Daniel Farke’s players have been showing any signs of being under the cosh.

The Whites have finally been removed from many of the broadcasters’ relegation graphics, with only West Ham, Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest remaining in the relegation debate.

With the way that Spurs have picked up points of late under new boss Roberto De Zerbi, some wouldn’t fancy United on Monday night.

It is a trip to London after all.

But Leeds should be confident. It would be good to see them play with the freedom that Premier League safety provides.

Points at this stage of the season mean prizes, and the higher up the league we finish, the more prize money we get.

If we can get a result it would distance us further from the talk of being relegation candidates at the start of the campaign and get us over the line in real style.

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1 Leeds United 2.

“The crowd may well turn”

NEIL GREWER

Regardless of the other weekend results, Leeds United will have prepared a plan to win this game.

And despite Spurs having seen a massive improvement in performances and results in their last two games under Roberto De Zerbi, Leeds are in good form also, but Spurs will be more nervous.

Spurs will have the crowd behind them initially, but if Leeds can start the game in similar fashion to the game at Old Trafford, then the crowd may well turn.

Leeds have exceeded expectations to be entering this game on 43 points and with summer recruitment being largely very successful, and scoring regularly, they will be aiming to improve the league position.

Immense credit must go to Daniel Farke and the 49ers management for the achievements to date.

Farke has used his small squad well and the medical team have managed injuries extremely well, so much so that, whilst Spurs have virtually a team of injured players Leeds have few.

I would not expect to see Gabi Gudmundsson return from injury yet – why rush, when James Justin is a capable replacement defensively (although less so offensively on the left).

Leeds United’s penultimate away-day takes them to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday with the chance to mathematically secure safety. A win in North London would do it regardless of results elsewhere but Daniel Farke’s side could even be over the line beforehand, if West Ham lose to Arsenal.

Farke was ill on Friday but assistant coach Edmund Riemer took on press conference duties and confirmed a big injury blow, with the in-form Noah Okafor set to miss two games with a calf strain. Defender Pascal Struijk was also not training with the group but there was hope he would be available come Monday.

Gabriel Gudmundsson remains sidelined with a hamstring problem while midfielder Ilia Gruev's season is over due to a meniscus injury. And ahead of that Monday night trip to London, the YEP has attempted to predict how Leeds could line up.

Relegation-battling rivals Tottenham Hotspur provide Leeds United’s next opponents on Monday night.

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Spurs star Rodrigo Bentancur has explained the biggest Tottenham change ahead of Monday night’s visit of Leeds United with a big “must” declaration about the visit of the Whites.

Last season’s Europa League winners Tottenham appeared to be on a one-way slide down to the Championship and the London outfit remain just one point clear of the drop zone despite a recent change in fortunes.

Those change in fortunes, though, says Bentancur have been brought about by new boss Roberto De Zerbi transforming the “energy” in the group, leading to back to back wins ahead of Monday night’s visit of Leeds.

The away wins at Wolves and Aston Villa on the back of a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton have hauled Spurs out of the drop zone but Bentancur says that his team’s last three matches starting with Monday’s visit of Leeds are now must win games.

Speaking to Tottenham Hotspur club media, Bentancur was asked what has changed of late and declared: “I think the energy.

"When Roberto is coming he tried to change the energy, the mentality, to feel again these positive things.

"He worked a lot on these and I think we the players changed.

"We understand also the situation and now we go back to winning games the energy has changed a lot and we feel really good."

Pressed on what the mood was like in the group ahead of Monday’s huge game and how he was feeling about being back in front of Tottenham’s home fans, Bentancur said: "When I'm back against Brighton, they show me a lot of love and also the atmosphere is really, really good. It's amazing.

"We need to work really hard and we need to win these three finals."

The Leeds United team news for Monday night’s Premier League clash at relegation-battling rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

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Leeds United will be missing two star men on Monday night when they travel to face Spurs at Tottenham Stadium, and there is a question mark over a third.

Gabriel Gudmundsson will definitely miss the contest, along with his left-flank partner Noah Okafor.

Gudmundsson picked up a hamstring injury towards the end of the FA Cup semi-final and sat out the 3-1 win over Burnley at Elland Road.

According to Whites assistant manager Edmund Riemer, who took the pre-game press conference due with Daniel Farke suffering from illness, Gudmundsson will be joined on the sidelines by Okafor on Monday.

"As the manager mentioned last week, Gabi will be out for this week and we'll assess him on a daily basis," said Riemer.

“He'll likely be out the next two games”

"We've got another one with Noah who picked up a calf strain so will miss the next two games. We're hopeful he'll be available for the last game. He sustained it after the the FA Cup game, in the right calf. In the Burnley game he pulled the left calf. He'll likely be out the next two games."

There is another question mark for Leeds as they take on the relegation-threatened Spurs. Centre-back Pascal Struijk took a knock in training this week and was unable to join in with Friday's team training session.

"Pascal is not going to train today with us, he got a hip contusion and will train individually but we hope he'll be available," said Riemer.

Leeds sit on 43 points going into the weekend and could be rendered mathematically safe on Sunday if Arsenal beat West Ham United.