Yorkshire Evening Post

Gabi Gudmundsson update and Leeds United injury latest in pre-Tottenham press conference

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Farke pre-Tottenham press conference: Gudmundsson update & Leeds injury latest - Yorkshire Evening Post
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Daniel Farke will speak to the media this afternoon ahead of Leeds United's Premier League trip to Tottenham on Monday.

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Leeds United head to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday and ahead of their penultimate 2025/26 away day, Daniel Farke will speak with the press this afternoon.

The Whites are virtually safe following a 3-1 win at home to Burnley last time out, with goals from Anton Stach, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin taking them onto 43 points. And it could be mathematically done by the end of this week if West Ham - seven points shy in 18th - lose against Arsenal.

Hosts Tottenham will also have a keen eye on goings on at the London Stadium given they are just one place and one point above West Ham. Roberto De Zerbi’s side have won back-to-back games but remain in serious relegation trouble and need another result on Monday.

Leeds enjoyed their most recent win over Burnley without Gabriel Gudmundsson, who suffered a hamstring injury late in the FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea. The Swede was initially expected to miss Tottenham and Farke will be given the chance to provide an update on his left-back today.

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There will have been an eight-day gap between games come Monday and should any fresh issues have surfaced in the meantime, Farke will let us know. He might also provide an update on Ilia Gruev, whose season is over following a meniscus injury suffered in the build-up to Leeds’ recent draw at Bournemouth.

The Whites boss will also likely be quizzed on the relegation picture, namely whether the prospect of being mathematically safe before kick-off might change anything psychologically. Expect a typically level-headed response, with Farke insisting last week no one will be on the beach as his side aim to finish as high as possible.

With safety all but secured for Leeds, it’s their hosts who will dominate the build-up with Tottenham still just one point from the drop. Expect Farke to give his thoughts on the potential pressure of fighting to survive at this late point of the season and the work of incoming boss Roberto De Zerbi.

Daniel Farke is due to speak with the media at 2.50pm today. Stay tuned for live updates...

'Absolutely sure', 'No doubt' - Chris Sutton and Paul Merson disagree on Tottenham vs Leeds United prediction

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'Absolutely sure', 'No doubt' - Chris Sutton and Paul Merson disagree on Tottenham vs Leeds United prediction - Yorkshire Evening Post
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Leeds United head to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday for their third-to-last Premier League clash of the season.

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Chris Sutton believes Leeds United could be mathematically safe before kick-off at Tottenham Hotspur on Monday - a scenario which might play in the home side’s favour.

Leeds could head down to London on Monday night with their Premier League status confirmed for another year. The Whites are seven points clear of 18th-placed West Ham and will be out of reach if the Hammers lose their third-to-last game at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

Daniel Farke’s side have enjoyed a perfectly-timed run of form, taking 12 points from a six-game unbeaten run to pull clear of serious trouble. The same cannot be said of their hosts who despite back-to-back wins, sit just one point above the drop zone.

While Leeds won’t be rolling over for any of their final three games regardless of what’s on the line, Tottenham are still fighting for their Premier League lives. And Sutton believes that extra edge should pull Roberto De Zerbi’s side over the line on Monday.

In his predictions column for BBC Sport, Sutton wrote: “Leeds are all but safe now and they could be absolutely sure of staying up by the time they play this game. That scenario would definitely suit Spurs, but I am going to back Roberto de Zerbi's side here regardless.

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“What a performance that was by them at Villa last week. People have criticised Villa, but that display and result felt enormous for Tottenham. It took them out of the bottom three and meant Spurs, at last, have got a bit of momentum after winning two league games in a row for the first time since August.

“I am expecting more of the same here, so I am going to say they will make it three wins on the spin with the same scoreline that saw them win at Elland Road in October. Sutton's prediction: 2-1.”

Paul Merson disagrees as Leeds United backed

There is an argument to be made the other way, however, with Leeds potentially able to enjoy the freedom of being safe while their hosts have pressure. And with Farke’s side in a great run of form, Paul Merson expects them to hand out a big relegation battle blow.

“Leeds have been outstanding in recent weeks,” the former Arsenal midfielder told Sportskeeda. “Barring the FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea, they have lost just one out of their last nine games. If Leeds are in the mood, they can hurt Tottenham. There's no doubt about it.

“If Leeds were still heavily involved in the relegation battle, they would have been a huge test for Tottenham. Now I fear they might take the foot off the gas against Spurs on Monday. This is a hard game to call. Even if West Ham lose to Arsenal, Tottenham should win this game.

“They cannot let the relegation battle go down to the final day of the season. I don't expect Spurs to beat Chelsea in the next game. So this is a hugely-important fixture for them. I just can't back them against Leeds though, I think they lose this one! Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Leeds United.”

Supercomputer's new predicted final Premier League table: Leeds United, Tottenham, West Ham, Forest calls

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Supercomputer's new predicted final Premier League table: Leeds United, Tottenham, West Ham, Forest calls - Yorkshire Evening Post
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Leeds United are now on the verge of being mathematically safe - and Opta’s supercomputer has made a strong Whites call in its new predicted final Premier League table and points.

Leeds initially booted nine points clear of the drop zone through Friday night’s 3-1 win at home to Burnley. The victory left the Whites nine points clear of third-bottom Tottenham, seven clear of fourth-bottom West Ham and four ahead of fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest but with those three sides all having a game in hand.

West Ham were next to play on Saturday afternoon, the Hammers dealt a huge blow in falling to a 3-0 defeat at Brentford which has left them seven points behind Leeds with one just three games left to play.

It means that defeat for West Ham in Sunday’s clash at home to Arsenal would leave Leeds mathematically safe from relegation. Due to West Ham’s goal difference, even a draw would realistically be enough to seal United’s top flight status.

In another bonus boost, defeat for Crystal Palace at Sunday’s hosts Bournemouth also saw the Eagles drop below the Whites on goal difference.

Yet Palace’s disappointment and West Ham’s woes were then followed by two massive boosts for Tottenham and Forest, Spurs winning 2-1 at Aston Villa to take themselves out of the drop zone and Forest then winning 3-1 at Chelsea to move just one point behind the Whites.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are now on point ahead of West Ham, are now six points behind Leeds who they host on Monday night.

Nevertheless, the Whites are clearly in a very good position and the supercomputer from data experts Opta has made a strong Whites call its new predicted final table and points.

Here is the full new rundown in reverse order.

Star out of Leeds United visit in De Zerbi's Tottenham team news with eight now injured and striker doubt

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"Suffering" - Spurs star ruled out of Leeds visit with 8 injured and striker doubt - Yorkshire Evening Post
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Fresh Tottenham Hotspur team news for Monday night’s Premier League visit of Leeds United.

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Boss Roberto De Zerbi has provided his Tottenham team news for Monday night’s Premier League visit of Leeds United for which another star has been ruled out as part of eight men now injured.

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has now missed Tottenham’s last four games after hernia surgery although it was not clear when the Italian shotstopper would be back.

De Zerbi, though, has revealed that the 29-year-old is still not ready, joining Xavi Simons, Cristian Romero, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Wilson Odobert, Ben Davies and also Dominic Solanke for eight men on the sidelines.

Solanke suffered a hamstring injury in last month’s win at Wolves and De Zerbi has suggested that the following weekend’s game against Chelsea might be more likely for his return.

“He's suffering because he would like to help his team-mates”

"He's improving quickly, I don't know for this game,” said the Spurs boss at Thursday’s pre-match press conference, as quoted by the club’s official website.

“We hope for the next game at Stamford Bridge."

On keeper Vicario, De Zerbi said: “He's not ready yet. I don't know the plan... he's suffering because he would like to help his team-mates, but he's not available yet.”

Leeds United change v Forest, Tottenham, West Ham, Palace in bookies' new predicted final Premier League table

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Leeds change v Palace, Forest, West Ham, Spurs in bookies' new predicted final table - Yorkshire Evening Post
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A massive fresh boost for one of Leeds United’s relegation-battling rivals has now led to a Whites change in the bookies’ new predicted final Premier League table.

Leeds initially booted nine points clear of the drop zone through Friday night’s 3-1 win at home to Burnley.

The victory left the Whites nine points clear of third-bottom Tottenham, seven clear of fourth-bottom West Ham and four ahead of fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest but with those three sides all having a game in hand.

West Ham were next to play on Saturday afternoon, the Hammers dealt a huge blow in falling to a 3-0 defeat at Brentford which has left them seven points behind Leeds with one just three games left to play.

It means that defeat for West Ham in Sunday’s clash at home to Arsenal would leave Leeds mathematically safe from relegation. Due to West Ham’s goal difference, even a draw would realistically be enough to seal United’s top flight status.

In another bonus boost, defeat for Crystal Palace at Sunday’s hosts Bournemouth also saw the Eagles drop below the Whites on goal difference.

Yet Palace’s disappointment and West Ham’s woes were then followed by two massive boosts for Tottenham and Forest, Spurs winning 2-1 at Aston Villa to take themselves out of the drop zone and Forest then winning 3-1 at Chelsea to move just one point behind the Whites.

Tottenham, meanwhile, are now on point ahead of West Ham, are now six points behind Leeds who they host on Monday night.

After the Forest especially, the bookies have now altered their relegation odds which now leads to a Leeds change in their new predicted final table.

Here is the full new rundown in reverse order.

Tottenham star hails 'solutions' ahead of Leeds United visit and key man addition impact

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"We're really good" - Tottenham star hails 'solutions' ahead of Leeds United visit and key man addition impact - Yorkshire Evening Post
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Tottenham Hotspur host Leeds United in a huge game in the Premier League relegation battle on Monday night.

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Tottenham Hotspur defender Kevin Danso has hailed ‘solutions’ provided by new boss Roberto De Zerbi with an upbeat message ahead of Monday night’s Leeds United visit.

Danso’s side finally took themselves out of the Premier League’s relegation zone with Sunday’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa as the team recorded back-to-back league wins for just the second time this season and first time since August.

The team have since had two managerial changes, Thomas Frank sacked in February and replaced by Igor Tudor who himself departed the club at end of the March before being replaced by De Zerbi.

Danso, though, says De Zerbi has provided “solutions” in Tottenham’s fight to beat the drop and a calmness that Danso hopes his side will now take into the last three games of the season.

Speaking to Tottenham Hotspur’s official website, Danso said: "He's given us loads of solutions and I feel like everybody knows exactly what the manager wants, how we want to play.

"I feel we look calm and we also feel calm”

"I feel we look calm and we also feel calm, especially when we have the ball.

"I feel like we're really good defenders and when it comes to that, I think we continue to do well and show our qualities.

“I’m very proud of the performance. It was an important game. We knew the situation going into the game and I think the lads were just extremely focused, knew what was at stake and performed really well.

“We've been working all week with each other, speaking to each other. Like I said, we know what's at stake. We know what is needed.

"That fight we showed today is needed for the next three games as well.”

Premier League confirm Tottenham vs Leeds United decision with 'infuriatingly inconsistent' referee appointed

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Spurs v Leeds referee confirmed after 'infuriatingly inconsistent' 4/10 showing - Yorkshire Evening Post
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Leeds United haven’t enjoyed a good record with Monday’s referee for their Premier League trip to Tottenham Hotspur.

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The Premier League have confirmed their latest round of referee appointments with Jarred Gillett to take charge of Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds United on Monday.

Daniel Farke’s side make the journey down to London having virtually secured their Premier League status following Friday’s 3-1 win over Burnley. Goals from Anton Stach, Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin took the Whites into 43 points and they will be mathematically safe if West Ham lose to Arsenal on Sunday.

The same cannot be said for hosts Tottenham, who despite back-to-back wins remain right in the relegation mix. A 2-1 win at Aston Villa last time out lifted them out of the bottom three but they remain just one point above West Ham in 18th, with Leeds due to face both at their respective home grounds.

Ahead of another huge game at the bottom, the Premier League have named Gillett as the man to take charge at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. He will be assisted by Neil Davies and Steve Meredith, with Tom Kirk as fourth official and Craig Pawson on VAR duties.

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Gillett has taken charge of 20 Premier League games so far this season, blowing for 19.85 fouls and brandishing 3.55 yellow cards per game on average. The Australian is among the more lenient top-flight officials in that sense and Leeds will be hoping to enjoy their first victory of the season involving this particular referee on Monday.

Leeds United’s poor record with Jarred Gillett as referee

The Whites have drawn and lost two each of the four Premier League games involving Gillett, suffering early-season defeats against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest before Elland Road stalemates with Manchester United and Brentford. The experienced official also took charge of last month’s FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.

Gillett received a 4/10 in YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth’s player ratings after what was labelled an ‘infuriatingly inconsistent’ performance. Leeds were penalised and regularly booked for a number of soft fouls on the day, with the man in the middle also powerless to stop Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez’s tactical injury timeout.

Farke opted against making too big a deal of the timeout, which has become a frustratingly common occurrence during Leeds games, but did vent frustration at what he felt was a key error involving Gillett earlier in the season. The Whites boss felt a free-kick awarded against Anton Stach, which Nottingham Forest scored their second goal of a 3-1 win from, was incorrectly awarded.

“This was the first big mistake of the referee, because I think he was the only one in the whole stadium who saw a foul by Anton Stach,” Farke said of the incident back in early November. “It was 100 per cent a foul against him [Stach].

“They put the ball long. From the second ball, the cross comes in and the goal comes five seconds later. We would have definitely preferred to play [by] the rules today, but we are also self critical.”

Very strong call made on Tottenham vs Leeds United match and when bookies think Whites will be safe

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Very strong call made on Tottenham vs Leeds United match and when bookies think Whites will be safe - Yorkshire Evening Post
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Leeds United visit a Tottenham Hotspur now out of the drop zone next Monday night.

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A very strong call has been made on Leeds United’s next Premier League clash at relegation-battling rivals Tottenham Hotspur on the back of Sunday evening’s events at Aston Villa.

Leeds kicked nine points clear of Tottenham through Friday night’s 3-1 win at home to Burnley but having played a game more than Spurs who then took on high-flying Villa at Villa Park on Sunday night.

Villa approached the game sat fifth in the table and on the verge of sealing qualification for next season’s Champions League, boss Unai Emery making seven changes to his team ahead of Thursday evening’s Europa League semi-final second leg at home to Nottingham Forest.

A much-changed Villa team then barely laid a glove on Roberto De Zerbi’s clearly fired-up Spurs side who recorded a very easy 2-1 victory in which Villa only pulled a goal back with virtually the last kick of the game.

The win took Tottenham out of the drop zone at West Ham’s expense, Spurs now one point ahead of Villa and back to within six points of Leeds ahead of Monday night’s visit of the Whites.

On the back of their impressive win at Villa, the bookies now think Spurs will move to within three points of Leeds by beating them yet ultimately the bookmakers think Daniel Farke’s Whites will be mathematically safe from relegation before the game even kicks off.

Very strong call considering Tottenham’s position

In a very strong call on the match itself considering Tottenham’s position, Spurs have made been strong odds on favourites in being no bigger than 17-20 but as short as 4-5 with some firms. Leeds can be backed at 16-5 and even the draw is on offer at 3s.

Spurs also have four of the first five players in the any time scorer market which is headed by Dominic Solanke at 6-4 despite the striker being a big injury doubt. Richarlison is next at 7-4 ahead of Whites no 9 Dominic Calvert-Lewin at 2s.

Kolo Randal Muani (11-5) and Mathys Tel (23-10) are next, followed by Lukas Nmecha at 12-5.

Leeds, though, will already be mathematically safe from relegation if title-chasing Arsenal win at West Ham on Sunday afternoon and the bookies are confident that the Gunners will indeed leave the London Stadium with all three points.

Despite the now third-bottom Hammers desperately needing points to stay up, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are very strong odds on favourites in being no bigger than 13-20 but as short as 8-13 with some firms.

Considering West Ham’s minus 19 goal difference, even a draw would realistically leave Leeds safe as the Irons would be required to win both of their remaining games against Newcastle United and Leeds whilst making up 14 goals on the goal difference front.

The bookies make it 1-5 that Sunday’s game at West Ham will produce either an Arsenal win or a draw, West Ham 17-4 shots to beat the Gunners and the draw on offer at 16-5.

In short, those making the odds think Leeds will suffer a defeat at Tottenham - but one that won’t matter in terms of the team’s survival bid due to Arsenal making them already safe.

Tight new Leeds United, Palace call, huge Tottenham change in Opta's new predicted final Premier League table

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Tight fresh Leeds, Palace call, huge Spurs change in Opta's new predicted final table - Yorkshire Evening Post
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The Leeds United landscape has altered in both directions in the Premier League table - leading to a fresh Whites verdict and huge change at the bottom in Opta’s new predicted final table and points.

Leeds kicked nine points clear of the relegation zone through Friday night’s 3-1 win at home to Burnley which also took Daniel Farke’s side and a point and a place above Newcastle United into 14th place.

Newcastle then moved back above Leeds with Saturday afternoon’s 3-1 win at home to Brighton yet West Ham’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford was easily the day’s most significant result from a Whites perspective.

Defeat for the Hammers left them seven points behind Leeds with just three games remaining and Farke’s side then climbed a place without even playing on Sunday afternoon as a 3-0 defeat for Crystal Palace at Bournemouth saw the Eagles drop below the Whites on goal difference.

But Sunday ended with a massive boost for key Leeds relegation rivals Tottenham who jumped out of the drop zone at West Ham’s expense with an easy 2-1 win at a much-changed Aston Villa side which took Spurs one point above the Hammers and back within six points of Leeds.

Spurs and Leeds will face each other next Monday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium although Leeds might well be mathematically safe by then, West Ham facing a huge task in their next game next Sunday afternoon at home to title-chasing Arsenal.

A victory for the Gunners would leave Leeds seven points ahead of West Ham who would have just two games left and make the Whites mathematically safe.

Fifth-bottom Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, not yet out the woods themselves, visit Chelsea on Bank Holiday Monday afternoon in a 3pm kick-off, Forest three points clear of the drop zone and four behind Leeds but with a game in hand.

Following the fresh twists and turns, data experts Opta have now produced their new predicted final table and points which features a tight new Leeds, Palace call and massive change in the fight to stay up.

Here is the full new rundown including the latest Arsenal vs Manchester City title call.

Tottenham & Leeds early injury news as fresh blows leave 8 out and 4 doubtful but key men now back and pair fine

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Tottenham & Leeds early injury news with 8 out and 4 doubts but key men back - Yorkshire Evening Post
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Leeds United’s next Premier League game takes them to relegation-battling rivals Tottenham Hotspur- for which there is now an almighty injury list one week before the game.

Leeds and Spurs will lock horns in an 8pm kick-off at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium next Monday night although the magnitude of the game for Leeds will be determined by another match on Sunday afternoon.

Despite Tottenham’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Sunday evening, Leeds will already be mathematically safe from relegation if title-chasing Arsenal win at West Ham on Sunday afternoon.

Considering West Ham’s minus 19 goal difference, even a draw would realistically would be enough for Leeds as the Irons would be required to win both of their remaining games against Newcastle and Leeds whilst making up 14 goals on the goal difference front.

But Daniel Farke’s Whites are ultimately still not safe as things stand as they head for a Tottenham side who are now out of the drop zone at West Ham’s expense and one point above the Hammers despite an absolute raft of injuries.

Leeds, though, also have key men out at present and, here, we run through the early injury news from both camps combined which totals eight out and five doubtful but five others back.