Yorkshire Evening Post

Leeds United will travel to Premier League rivals Aston Villa on Saturday afternoon.

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Leeds United have been warned new managerial appointments at two relegation rivals could see them sucked further into the battle to avoid the drop.

The Whites are sitting six points clear of the bottom three ahead of Saturday’s visit to Aston Villa after losing just two of their previous 13 league games and appear to be well positioned to preserve their top flight status between now and the end of the season. Although there was speculation over the future of manager Daniel Farke earlier in the campaign, the former Norwich City boss has produced a remarkable turnaround in fortunes over the last two and a half months and there is confidence over what lies ahead.

However, a number of relegation rivals have opted to make a change in the dugout and two new arrivals have been confirmed in recent weeks as Nottingham Forest opted to replace Sean Dyche with Vitor Pereira and Tottenham Hotspur opted to part ways with Thomas Frank before naming Igor Tudor as his successor on an interim basis.

A key weekend lies in wait as Tudor makes his Spurs bow in a North London derby clash with current league leaders Arsenal and former England defender Jamie Carragher believes the new arrivals should act as a warning to Leeds and Brighton as the relegation battle approaches its final months.

Hindrance

Writing in his Telegraph column, the Liverpool legend said: “The managerial change was necessary and gives Spurs a better chance of staying up because, at the very least, the mood in and around the club will improve. Arsenal’s visit could be more help than hindrance for Tudor in one aspect. It may be the most difficult of fixtures, but it can also be the most unifying. Such was the clamour for a new coach, the Spurs fans are relieved Frank is gone and the desperation for points is allied with trying to stop Arsenal winning the title and pray on the fears of their fans following the Wolves result.

“The supporters will recognise that the time for a thorough overview of how and why it has come to this is best delayed until the summer. They need to make their stadium intimidating for opponents rather than their own players for the next three months. Spurs must save themselves rather than rely on the failings of others, as they did a year ago. Leeds United and Brighton might yet get dragged further into the fight, but West Ham and Nottingham Forest are now under the management of two coaches who have survived Premier League relegation scraps before, Nuno saving Forest two years ago, and Vítor Pereira keeping Wolverhampton Wanderers up in 2025.”

Leeds United will resume their bid for Premier League survival with Saturday’s clash at Aston Villa - ahead of which the bookies have had their say on where they think the Whites will now finish.

In a break from league action, Leeds put themselves into the fifth round of the FA Cup with Sunday’s 4-2 victory on penalties at Birmingham City following a 1-1 draw extra time.

Six days later, Leeds will head back to Birmingham this weekend with a 3pm kick-off at Aston Villa in the club’s ongoing quest to survive their first season back in the country’s top flight.

Leeds are heading for what will be their 27th game of the Premier League season sat in 15th place and six points clear of the dropzone.

Farke’s men are six points ahead of third-bottom West Ham, three points clear of fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest and now one point ahead of fifth-bottom Tottenham Hotspur.

After sacking boss Thomas Frank, Tottenham have appointed former Juventus boss Igor Tudor as head coach until the end of the season in the bid to get the club up the Premier League table and also seeking progress in the Champions League.

Forest also have a new manager, the club having appointed former boss Vitor Pereira as their new head coach following the sacking of Sean Dyche.

They are two big new appointments at two big Leeds rivals and the bookies have now made a big Leeds, Spurs, Forest call in their new predicted final Premier League table based on the very latest odds. Here, in reverse order, is the full new rundown.

Leeds United are heading towards their Premier League survival run-in with plenty of confidence following their 2-2 draw at Chelsea earlier this week. The Whites maintained their six-point gap on 18th-placed West Ham in the process, also climbing above Tottenham Hotspur into 15th.

A round of fixtures in which almost everything went Leeds’ way also saw Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Brighton drop points with up to six teams still at risk of joining Burnley and Wolves in the bottom three. But if Daniel Farke’s side can come through upcoming games against Manchester City and Aston Villa in a good place, confidence will grow further.

With that in mind and using data from Soccerstats, the YEP has analysed the difficulty of each Premier League team’s 12-game run-in according to the points-per-game (PPG) average of those left to play. And in comparing it to the PPG of those already faced, provided a percentage change between opponents played and those left to play.

Leeds United’s struggling rivals have appointed a new head coach with a strong declaration of intent.

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Leeds United’s struggling rivals Tottenham Hotspur have appointed a new head coach in the club’s Premier League survival bid but also Champions League pursuit.

A sliding Tottenham team suffered an 11th defeat of the Premier League season in Tuesday night’s clash at home to Newcastle United, the reverse dropping Spurs a place and a point below Leeds in the Premier League table.

Boss Thomas Frank was then sacked the following day, news then emerging on Friday that Spurs were looking to appoint an experienced interim head coach to take charge of the team until the end of the season.

In their bid to steady the ship, the club have turned to 47-year-old former Juventus boss Igor Tudor who has now been appointed as the club’s new head coach until the end of the season, subject to work permit.

Tudor, a former Croatia international centre-back, has managed Hajduk Split, PAOK, Karabükspor, Galatasaray, Udinese, Hajduk Split, Hellas Verona, Marseille, Lazio and most recently Juventus in the last decade.

Tudor replaced Thiago Motta as the new head coach of Juventus in March 2025 and guided the team to a fourth-placed finish, sealing qualification for the Champions League.

Tudor, though, was sacked in October following eight games without a victory.

“His mandate is straightforward”

A statement from Tottenham Hotspur read: “We are pleased to confirm the appointment of Igor Tudor as Men’s Head Coach until the end of the season, subject to work permit.

“Igor joins us with a clear focus: to improve performances, deliver results and move us up the Premier League table. His mandate is straightforward – bring organisation, intensity and competitive edge to the squad at a decisive stage of the campaign.”

As quoted by the club’s official website, new boss Tudor said: “It is an honour to join this Club at an important moment.

“I understand the responsibility I have been handed and my focus is clear. To bring greater consistency to our performances and compete with conviction in every match.

“There is strong quality in this playing squad, and my job is to organise it, energise it and improve our results quickly.”

On the appointment, Sporting Director Johan Lange said: “Igor brings clarity, intensity and experience of stepping into challenging moments and producing impact.

“Our objective is straightforward – to stabilise performances, maximise the quality within the squad and compete strongly in the Premier League and Champions League.”

A double Leeds United boost has been followed by big changes at key rivals, leading to alterations in the bookies’ relegation odds and new predicted final Premier League table.

Daniel Farke’s Whites looked to suffer an 11th defeat of the season as they trailed 2-0 at Tuesday night’s hosts Chelsea but an excellent comeback sealed an unlikely looking 2-2 draw and the big boost of another point.

At the same time, rapidly emerging new rivals Tottenham Hotspur were suffering a 2-1 defeat at home to Newcastle United although third-bottom West Ham looked destined for a massive win as they led Manchester United 1-0 at the London Stadium.

The Red Devils, though, bagged a late equaliser to seal a 1-1 draw in another Leeds boost which kept a six-point gap back to the relegation zone.

Huge changes then presented themselves over the course of the next 24 hours, Tottenham sacking boss Thomas Frank after their latest defeat and Sean Dyche also relieved of his duties as boss of fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest after their failure to beat Wednesday night’s visitors Wolves.

Forest’s goalless draw at the City Ground has left them three points behind Leeds who now sit in 15th place, a point and a place above Tottenham and only two points adrift of 14th-placed Brighton who themselves are only one point behind 13th-placed Crystal Palace.

More and more teams are becoming involved in the battle for survival and it's all led to changes in the bookies' relegation odds and new predicted final table.

Here, using title odds for teams expected to finish in the top half, is how they think the final standings will now look.

Leeds United took another step towards safety following their brilliant comeback 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Tuesday. The Whites were short of their best form but showed heaps of resilience, with second-half goals from Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor ensuring a point returned to Elland Road.

Daniel Farke’s side maintained a six-point gap on 18th-placed West Ham - who drew 1-1 at home to Manchester United on Tuesday - while also leapfrogging Tottenham Hotspur into 15th following their 2-1 defeat against Newcastle. Nottingham Forest then drew 0-0 against Wolves on Wednesday.

Two of those results signalled the end for a pair of managers, with Spurs sacking Frank on Wednesday morning and Dyche axed by Forest overnight. And after a midweek of relegation battle drama on and off the pitch, Opta have updated their Premier League final table predictions with Leeds’ chances of survival boosted.

Tottenham Hotspur dropped below Leeds United in the Premier League table on Tuesday.

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Tottenham Hotspur have sacked Thomas Frank after falling below Leeds United in the Premier League table.

Leeds climbed up to 15th following their 2-2 comeback draw at Chelsea on Tuesday night, with goals from Lukas Nmecha and Noah Okafor earning a big point. That point was enough to take the Whites above Spurs, who lost 2-1 at home to Newcastle United that same evening.

Spurs were 1-0 down at half-time before Archie Gray equalised, but Newcastle scored just two minutes later to hold out for a rare away victory. Frank’s name was regularly booed by the home support at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Asked if he’ll be in charge for the North London derby against Arsenal next weekend, Frank said on Tuesday: "Yeah, I am convinced I will be. I understand the question. It is easy to point on me but it is never only the head coach, ownership, players or staff.

“It is everyone. Everyone knows what position we are in and what we need to improve on. That is what we are working hard on."

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Spurs have now made the decision to part ways with Frank, who has not seen his side win a Premier League game in 2026. The London club have won just two of their last 17 in the league and are in serious relegation trouble, with just five points separating them and West Ham.

Spurs statement as Thomas Frank sacked

A statement posted on Tottenham’s X account read: “The Club has taken the decision to make a change in the Men’s Head Coach position and Thomas Frank will leave today. Thomas was appointed in June 2025, and we have been determined to give him the time and support needed to build for the future together.

“However, results and performances have led the Board to conclude that a change at this point in the season is necessary. Throughout his time at the Club, Thomas has conducted himself with unwavering commitment, giving everything in his efforts to move the Club forward.

“We would like to thank him for his contribution and wish him every success in the future.”

Frank signed a three-year contract in the summer, leaving Brentford to replace Europa League winner Ange Postecoglou but lasting just eight months. The Danish head coach was subject to chants calling for him to be sacked in the morning during Tuesday’s defeat against Newcastle.

Spurs have endured a torrid campaign of injuries, with the likes of Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison and Rodrigo Bentancur out for long periods. There are currently 11 first-team players unavailable, including Christian Romero who is serving a four-game ban after receiving his second red card of the season last weekend.

A huge fresh blow for struggling rivals has changed Leeds United’s position.

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Leeds United’s superb comeback draw at Chelsea has been accompanied by a huge fresh blow for new struggling rivals and a big West Ham twist for a double Whites boost.

Daniel Farke’s Whites looked to be heading for an 11th defeat of the season as they trailed 2-0 at Tuesday night’s hosts Chelsea but Leeds produced an amazing comeback to take a point through a 2-2 draw.

Fifth-bottom Leeds began the night level on points with Tottenham Hotspur who sat directly above them but Spurs suffered another defeat as their hosting of Newcastle United ended in a 2-1 loss, allowing the Whites to leapfrog them in the table.

Farke’s side have consequently jumped up to 15th place and the night ended with one final huge twist and heartbreak for fellow key rivals West Ham.

Hammers looked destined for a huge boost

The third-bottom Irons took on Manchester United at the London Stadium in an 8.15pm kick-off and a close-range finish from Tomas Soucek in the 50th minute had the Hammers on course for a 1-0 victory heading deep into second half stoppage time.

A win would have cut the gap to Leeds down to four points but the Red Devils equalised in the 96th minute as Benjamin Sesko applied a brilliant finish to a Bryan Mbeumo cross to seal a 1-1 draw.

The result keeps Leeds six points clear of the dropzone but also now a point and a place above Tottenham after 26 games played.

Fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest who are four points behind Leeds and just two points ahead of West Ham host bottom of the table Wolves on Wednesday night in their game in hand.

A huge Leeds United boost has been followed by mixed fortunes for key rivals - and the bookies have now produced their new predicted final Premier League table.

Daniel Farke’s fifth-bottom Whites kicked three points clear of fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest by beating them 3-1 in Friday night’s huge clash under the Elland Road lights, a result which took Leeds nine points clear of the dropzone.

Third-bottom West Ham, though, reduced the gap to Leeds back to six points with a 2-0 win at second-bottom Burnley on Saturday afternoon which also left them just three points behind Forest.

For Leeds, Friday night’s win also took them level on points with both Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur who experienced contrasting fortunes from their weekend games.

Spurs suffered another defeat via a 2-0 loss at Manchester United which left Thomas Frank’s side only ahead of Leeds on goal difference.

Palace , though, then travelled to Brighton on Sunday and finally recorded a first league win of the year as a 1-0 success took them up to 13th place and three points above Leeds who are now directly Spurs in the table. Defeat for Brighton also saw the Seagulls drop to 14th place, just two points above the Whites.

With the weekend’s games now all completed, it’s led to the bookies updating their relegation odds and producing a new predicted final Premier League table based on those odds. Using title odds to determine sides expected to end up in the top half, here is the full new rundown from top to bottom.

An incredible comeback has taken emerging new rivals back out of Leeds United’s direct view.

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Newly-emerging rivals Tottenham Hotspur have taken themselves back out of Leeds United’s direct view with an incredible comeback.

Tottenham approached the new season as defending Europa League champions but with their Premier League struggles costing Ange Postecoglou his job and leading to the appointment of Thomas Frank.

Spurs, though, have been gradually sliding down the table of late and lined up for Sunday afternoon’s hosting of Manchester City sat in 14th place and only two points ahead of fifth-bottom Leeds.

Tottenham then dropped another place down the table as they were leapfrogged by Crystal Palace as the Eagles took a 1-1 draw from Sunday’s 2pm kick-off at Nottingham Forest who themselves joined Leeds on 26 points.

Sunday’s hosting of City still presented a game in hand for Spurs and a chance for them to go back above Palace and also Brighton into 13th place but Frank’s side looked destined to suffer another defeat as they trailed 2-0 at the break.

Title chasing City breezed into a 2-0 lead by the interval through goals from Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo, the contest appearing over as glum faces looked on from the home fans in the stands.

Spurs, though, incredibly fought back to draw level at 2-2 via a brace from Dominic Solanke, his incredible scorpion kick finish ultimately sealing a draw and a point which takes Tottenham back up to 14th place.

The draw leaves Spurs two places and three points ahead of Daniel Farke’s Whites.

Three of Tottenham’s next six games are against teams in the division’s current top six, trips to Manchester United and Liverpool sandwiching the north London derby at home to title favourites Arsenal.