Yorkshire Evening Post

Leeds United aren’t expected to roll over despite their Premier League status being secured.

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Leeds United are being disrespected by assumptions they will roll over for opponents now they’re safe, according to Paul Merson, who expects a Whites result at Tottenham Hotspur.

Daniel Farke’s side know they will be in the Premier League next season following West Ham’s defeat to Arsenal on Sunday, a result which left them seven points adrift with two games to play. The Whites have strung together a brilliant six-game unbeaten run to pull clear of trouble but still have plenty to play for.

Leeds are only six points away from the top half and Farke’s immensely professional squad will be desperate to continue their unbeaten run through the final three games. And former Arsenal midfielder Merson has railed against suggestions they have nothing to play for against relegation-threatened Tottenham.

“I’d be shocked if Tottenham won this football match tonight,” Merson told Sky Sports. “I think Leeds have been that good, I think we’re disrespecting Leeds a bit where it’s ‘oh Tottenham will win, they've got nothing to play for’.

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“They’re going to have three, four, five thousand fans down there behind the goal. It’s very hard to go ‘you know what, we’re already safe’. I think they'll want to rub Tottenham’s noses in it.”

That Leeds are safe with three games to spare, even in this most competitive of relegation fights, is testament to Farke and his squad. The Whites were many people’s pre-season favourites to go down and looked in serious trouble through October and November.

Farke’s half-time switch to a back-three at Manchester City is now seen as a season-defining moment, with Leeds only losing four of the 22 top-flight games that have followed so far. Merson was full of praise for the Whites boss and his squad for overseeing such a turnaround.

“It was unbelievable really,” he added. “They were getting ripped to shreds at the Etihad, they were 2-0 down and you’re thinking ‘if this gets to four or five, he probably won’t be in a job by Monday’. He goes in at half-time, changes it around and they’ve just been on a run and a half.

“They got to the semi-final of the FA Cup and they're safe in the league. It’s been an absolutely unbelievable turnaround. The players, the manager, I think they've been great.”

Leeds United's Premier League status for 2026/27 was secured following weekend defeat for West Ham.

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Noah Okafor insists there is ‘no excuse’ for Leeds United to slow down despite Premier League safety being secured.

Leeds head to Tottenham Hotspur this evening safe in the knowledge they will be a top-flight team next season. The Whites are seven points ahead of 18th-placed West Ham, who have two games to play following their dramatic 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal on Sunday.

Daniel Farke’s side have taken 12 points from a perfectly-timed six-match unbeaten run to pull clear of trouble. But with three games still to play and six points between themselves and ninth, there is still plenty to play for.

Okafor will miss tonight’s game due to a calf strain, as assistant coach Edmund Reimer confirmed during the week. But the Swiss international insists no one in the squad is starting to plan their summer holidays just yet.

"We can breathe, but there is no excuse to stop", he told Sky Sports ahead of tonight’s trip to Tottenham. "We still have to work hard and improve in each and every aspect of the game. With the last weeks we have shown a good mood, loads of points, and this gives us confidence.

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"In the end we fight for everything because we know this squad has a lot of quality, and this makes life easier when everyone gives 100 per cent. You can enjoy more like this. Everyone is on the boat, on the journey with this team."

There are financial incentives for Leeds to continue their form against Tottenham, Brighton and West Ham, with each position in the Premier League table worth almost £3million. The playing squad will also receive an end-of-season bonus based on where they finish.

Okafor is one of a handful of squad members with an extra incentive, given his hopes of representing Switzerland at this summer’s World Cup. The winger is hoping to be fit in time to face West Ham on the final day.

A run of three goals in as many games saw Okafor nominated for April’s Premier League Player of the Month and he bagged an eighth for the season against Wolves. He’s on one assist too, meaning any kind of contribution at the London Stadium would put him into double figures combined for the first time since 2022/23.

"The main topic for me is to get points for the team," he said. "The team has big energy, a positive energy, a good atmosphere. We find each other, performing very well because we've worked hard for this moment."

Live updates as a Leeds United side now mathematically safe from relegation visit fourth-bottom Tottenham Hotspur.

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Leeds United’s Premier League survival is now mathematically guaranteed with three games still to play - starting with tonight’s enormous clash at relegation-battling Tottenham Hotspur.

Here we will bring you all of the pre-match build-up followed by starting line-ups as they are announced and then in-game updates before post match reaction and analysis.

The 8pm kick-off is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.

Leeds United are now mathematically safe from relegation with three games left - and data experts Opta are expecting a further Whites rise in their new predicted final Premier League table and points.

Daniel Farke’s Whites went into the weekend sat seven points clear of third-bottom West Ham with just three games left.

With bottom two teams Burnley and Wolves already relegated, it meant defeat for West Ham in Sunday’s hosting of title chasing Arsenal would make Leeds mathematically safe even before Monday night’s clash at fourth-bottom Tottenham Hotspur.

It was anything but straightforward but the Gunners got their win in a classic 1-0 to the Arsenal which also ensured United’s top flight survival and likewise for Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.

Both teams took draws from their Sunday afternoon fixtures which took both sides above Leeds but with United now having played a game less.

As it stands, Leeds sit fifth-bottom, six points clear of fourth-bottom Tottenham and only behind 15th-placed Forest on goal difference.

The Whites are one point behind Palace and three behind 13th-placed Newcastle United whose Sunday afternoon draw also made them mathematically safe.

Leeds sit on 43 points with three games to go against Spurs, Brighton and West Ham but Opta’s supercomputer fully expects them to add to that tally.

In reverse order, here is the new predicted final table including who they think is going down out in the new two horse horse to avoid finishing third bottom between West Ham and Spurs.

Tottenham are just one point ahead of the Irons ahead of Monday’s visit of Leeds but with three games left as opposed to West Ham’s two.

Coverage details as Leeds United visit relegation-battling rivals Tottenham Hotspur tonight.

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Leeds United’s Premier League survival is now mathematically assured as they visit relegation-battling Tottenham Hotspur tonight - but is the game on TV?

Leeds went into the weekend sat seven points clear of third-bottom West Ham with just three games remaining which meant a West Ham defeat against Arsenal on Sunday would make the Whites mathematically safe from the drop.

In a low scoring yet incredibly dramatic game, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners recorded a 1-0 success, surviving a massive scare deep in second half stoppage time as a West Ham equaliser from Callum Wilson was disallowed.

With bottom two sides Wolves and Burnley already down, Arsenal’s win left Leeds, Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace all safe, the fight to avoid finishing in the division’s third and final relegation place now a straight two-horse race between third-bottom West Ham and fourth-bottom Tottenham.

Tottenham are only one point ahead of the Hammers but with three games left as opposed to West Ham’s two, Spurs knowing that victory against Leeds tonight will send them four points clear with just two games to go.

Fifth-bottom Leeds, though, on 43 points have the opportunity to jump back above Forest and Palace tonight and also draw level on points with 13th-placed Newcastle.

From a survival perspective, the pressure for Leeds is finally off but absolutely not for Tottenham ahead of an 8pm kick-off which is the Sky Sports Monday Night Football game.

The game is being broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.

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.”