Yorkshire Evening Post

Leeds United welcome Premier League regulars Tottenham Hotspur to Elland Road on Saturday.

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The Premier League have confirmed their referee appointments for the upcoming weekend with Thomas Bramall to take charge of Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur.

Leeds will be in front of their own support for the second consecutive weekend, following last week’s impressive but disappointing draw against Bournemouth. Daniel Farke’s side looked set for a huge three points after goals from Joe Rodon and Sean Longstaff before Eli Junior Kroupi’s added-time volley made it 2-2.

Weekend visitors Spurs also dropped two points last time out in the Premier League, drawing 1-1 at previously pointless Wolves. Like Bournemouth, they needed an added-time effort from Joao Palhinha to save them from defeat and on Tuesday drew their second Champions League game 2-2 at Bodo/Glimt.

All focus is now on Saturday’s Elland Road meeting and the Premier League have confirmed their full referee appointments for gameweek seven, with Bramall to take charge in West Yorkshire. Leeds vs Spurs will be his fourth top-flight game of the campaign, with no major controversies to note.

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In those games, Bramall has blown for 23.33 fouls and brandished 3.33 yellow cards on average per game, making him one of the Premier League’s more strict officials. He will be assisted at Elland Road by Ian Hussin and Andrew Dallison, while Rob Jones has been named as fourth official and Jarred Gillett will be on VAR duties.

VAR appointment Jarred Gillett’s Arsenal vs Newcastle controversy

Gillett was involved in a controversial decision last weekend, having been appointed to take charge of Arsenal’s dramatic 2-1 win at Newcastle United. Having awarded the away side a penalty for a foul by Nick Pope on Viktor Gyokeres, he was eventually sent to the screen for an on-pitch review by VAR Darren England.

After a lengthy review, Gillett overturned his decision after deciding Pope had won the ball, with replays showing the right decision had eventually been reached following the VAR review. However Arsenal boss Arteta was unhappy after full-time with the decision to recommend a review, despite winning.

Leeds boss Farke will hope for no such controversy this weekend after being far from happy with last weekend’s referee, Michael Oliver. The Whites boss was irked by the awarding of a free-kick which Antoine Semenyo scored from, with Anton Stach adjudged to have pushed an opposition player in the back.

"I think we would have deserved to not have the free-kick given, probably the softest free-kick given this weekend," Farke said. "It's not a foul for me at Premier League level. We probably would have won without this free-kick conceded.

“Sometimes the feeling is they would have deserved a bit more luck. If they keep going like this that when it really counts to have the results to stay in this league we deserve to get a bit of luck at some moments. I'm pretty happy so far with the season."

Leeds United defender Gabriel Gudmundsson can't put into words how hurt he was by his freak own goal at Fulham but he has put it to bed.

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A summer signing from Ligue 1 side Lille, Gudmundsson has made a good impression at Elland Road so far with a number of solid displays at left-back. Often a problem position for Leeds in recent years, left-back was a source of joy last season thanks to Junior Firpo's attacking quality but concerns lingered over his defensive ability due to the difficulties he encountered upon his arrival in the English top flight. Gudmundsson thus far has not looked out of place at either end of the pitch. He felt ready, though because contrary to the beliefs of some on these shores, Ligue 1 helped him get ready.

"Of course you read so much about the Premier League, the biggest league in the world," he said. "It is. But I had four very good years in France that made me into this player I am today, well prepared to come into the Premier League to be involved and fight directly for my position here and in every game to try and help my team to gain as many points as possible. I think for me Ligue 1 is very, very physical. Good league, hard league, I think a better league than many people think. But obviously the Premier League is so big in terms of reputations, players here, and the quality in every position.

"There are maybe more players that maybe have a little bit more quality [on the ball]. Physically I would not say it's any different so far but it's only eight games in. It's easier to summarise after the season but so far so good, we've had a good start and I feel very comfortable in the team and when we're playing.

"It's a bank, a big bank. Bringing all the best players in every league here shows the quality. Ligue 1 is a very good league, good league to develop, really happy for my time there but the Premier League is maybe a bit more in the spotlight I would say."

The spotlight is on full-backs especially because out wide is often where the Premier League's most dangerous operators lurk. Gudmundsson has already come against a wide range of wingers with varying skill sets and physical profiles but he remains 'quite happy' with his performances and the balancing act between defending and attacking.

Other than the result at Arsenal, the only real blip for the 26-year-old so far is a big one. It happened at Fulham deep in stoppage time with the score locked at 0-0 and Leeds agonisingly close to a precious away point. It would have been a deserved one, too. That's why Gudmundsson's own goal - a header that he had no time to direct - pained him so much. It cost Leeds a point and it cost him two days of peace. So the following game at Molineux, a game Leeds won 3-1, took on a little more personal importance.

"I can't describe how really hurt I was," he said. "I was hurting for two days. Obviously we played a really good game. After the international break it's very difficult to play away and get a good result. In my time I've never been through something like that. We played very well in that game and deserved at least one point, even maybe three. It was really hurtful. The best thing in football is that the next week or even in a couple of days you have another game. For me - of course I'm very focused in every game - but this one was especially for me at Wolverhampton. I was so happy to get the three points."

Gudmundsson and Leeds came close to a second successive three-point haul when they hosted Bournemouth on Saturday. Again it was a stoppage-time goal that cost them, this time when 2-1 up. Gudmundsson helped Leeds to go ahead in the game by fighting at the byline for a ball that seemed lost, sinking to his knees and digging in long enough to force it to Noak Okafor. Seconds later Sean Longstaff was volleying home his first goal in Leeds colours.

"When I see an opportunity to go forward I try to go forward, but as a left-back and defender you have to secure your own goal first," said Gudmundsson. "It was a good one. With the fans there you get a little bit of extra feeling to fight even more at Elland Road. It's a nice one, for Sean to get his first goal and it was a beautiful goal as well."

Elland Road erupted for that goal and Gudmundsson was one of a number of players who took turns whipping up the crowd during the game against the Cherries. They're at home this weekend again when Tottenham Hotspur visit and once again Gudmundsson will have some personal motivation. The game will bring ex-Leeds United players Archie Gray and Djed Spence back to Elland Road in reunions that will take most of the headlines. But for Gudmundsson it’s the presence of fellow Swedes Dejan Kulusevski and Lucas Bergvall that is on his mind.

"Obviously a big game, also when we play at home at Elland Road but I think for me because after we have international team and I have two [national team-mates] at Tottenham," he said. "I don't want to end up in the national team [having] lost against them. Hopefully we have a good result."

The visit of Tottenham Hotspur provides Leeds United’s next test of the Premier League campaign.

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Leeds United have received fresh big backing ahead of next weekend’s visit of Tottenham Hotspur in a further sign of the club’s progress as a Premier League side.

Daniel Farke’s Whites looked set to beat highflying Bournemouth in Saturday afternoon’s sixth test of the new league season at Elland Road, only for Eli Kroupi to net a 93rd-minute equaliser which snatched the Cherries a 2-2 draw.

It meant three points became one but the draw still took newly-promoted Leeds up to eight points from six games played, Farke’s side sat 11th in the table and four points clear of the dropzone.

Farke’s men will now face another team riding high in the early table on Saturday when Thomas Frank’s fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur team arrive at Elland Road for a 12.30pm kick-off.

Leeds, though, have received fresh big backing from the bookmakers who only make Spurs very narrow favourites in a further show of respect for Farke’s Whites.

Two of the top three are injury doubts

Despite their strong start to the season, a Tottenham side who needed a 93rd-minute equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw at home to Wolves on Saturday are as big as 11-8 to win at Elland Road.

Leeds are no bigger than 15-8 and some firms have Farke’s Whites as short as 39-20 - almost challenging Frank’s side for favouritism. The draw, meanwhile, is on offer at 39-20 and two of the first three Spurs players in the first scorer market are injury doubts.

Without them, current first choice no 9 Richarlison heads the first scorer betting at 6-1 followed by teammates Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani who are both 13-2.

Solanke and Muani, though, both missed the weekend’s draw with Wolves and also Monday’s training session.

Despite not starting against Bournemouth, Whites forward Joel Piroe is next in the betting at 7s, just ahead of Tottenham’s Dane Scarlett at 15-2 and then Whites no 9 Dominic Calvert-Lewin at 15-2.

A repeat of last weekend’s 1-1 draw is clear favourite in the correct score market at 13-2.

Leeds United will face Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road next Saturday afternoon.

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Tottenham Hotspur stand in Leeds United’s way as Daniel Farke’s men look to make it three games unbeaten when the two sides meet at Elland Road next Saturday lunchtime.

The Whites have collected four points from their last two games after following their 3-1 win at Wolves last weekend with a home draw against Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon. Those results have taken into mid-table and a win against Spurs could lift Leeds level on points with their fourth placed hosts.

It has been a promising start to the season for Spurs and they have begun Thomas Frank’s managerial reign with just one defeat in their first six Premier League fixtures. However, there was some frustration for the former Brentford boss after his side stumbled to a 1-1 home draw against bottom of the table Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday and needed a late goal from summer signing Joao Palhinha to rescue a share of the spoils.

The visitors threatened to finally rack up their first win of the season when defender Santiago Bueno put them in front nine minutes into the second half - but Spurs belatedly grabbed a point when former Fulham midfielder Palhinha netted in the fourth minute of injury-time.

Frank handed opportunities to a number of his summer additions - but the performance of £51 million signing Xavi Simons has provoked a lot of discussions after the former Bayern Munich man struggled to make an impact in a position on the left-hand side of the Spurs forward line. Frank has opened up on Simons’ form and gave an indication of what could lie ahead as his side turn their focus towards Tuesday’s Champions League visit to Bodo/Glimt and Saturday’s Premier League clash at Leeds.

What did Thomas Frank say about Xavi Simons after Tottenham Hotspur’s draw with Wolves?

Speaking after Saturday’s draw in North London, the former Brentford boss said: ”I think Xavi had some good actions, also carrying the ball forward and you had to foul him three or four times, but there was a lot of situations where he was not as sharp, I think that's fair to say. I think he would say the same himself. I also think it's natural - you're coming into a new team, a new league. To find that rhythm quickly is difficult. I think we're very happy with the Brighton performance in many ways, the first half was also positive, but that free flow that we need to keep working on. And then there are just some days where we don't hit the highest level.

“I think it's trying to get the right balance into the team. For me, also to learn and find out how we can get the best players on the pitch at the right time. So, that I'm of course looking into. I'm very aware that Xavi he can play as a 10. He also got in as a 10 against Brighton because that was the third game in a week. That was positive. I think today when he got in as a 10, it didn't really work, and that was not only because of him, by the way. I think the whole team was out of sync in the last 35 minutes. I'll try to look into what is the best midfield.”

Thomas Frank's side have Champions League football to contend with before Saturday's trip to Leeds United.

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Tottenham Hotspur will be sweating on the fitness of two key forwards ahead of Saturday’s Premier League trip to Leeds United.

Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani both sat out Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Wolves due to injury, with Richarlison the only natural No.9 on offer to manager Thomas Frank. Solanke has been out for over a month with an ankle issue while summer loan arrival Kolo Muani picked up a dead leg in training last week.

Solanke briefly returned to training earlier this month but progress from that ankle injury has been slow, with Frank describing it as ‘tricky’ situation recently. The Dane is currently preparing his side for a Tuesday-evening Champions League trip to Bodo/Glimt and oversaw an open training session on Monday, which various media outlets attended.

The Evening Standard subsequently revealed Solanke was not involved in the open training session, with the striker set to miss his side’s European fixture, while Kolo Muani was also absent and is a major doubt. The attacking pair are therefore both doubts for Spurs’ trip to Leeds, given the quick turnaround.

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Spurs fly to Norway on Monday evening before facing Bodo/Glimt at their Aspmyra Stadion at 8pm UK time Tuesday evening. Frank’s side will then head back to London with little time to rest and recover before a likely Friday night journey north, with their Premier League game against Leeds picked for the Saturday lunchtime slot.

Spurs No.9 issues clear ahead of Leeds United trip

Frank was unable to bring on any fresh legs at No.9 against Wolves, despite his side chasing an equaliser right up until Joao Palhinha’s 94th-minute effort, with Richarlison playing the full 90 minutes and finding little joy. The Spurs boss could be left with a similar predicament both on Tuesday in Norway and Saturday at Elland Road.

"I think there were enough offensive actions,” Frank said after Saturday’s draw at Molineux. “But, of course, it's [not ideal] to have one natural striker. I think Mathys (Tel) can play striker, but he's probably a striker and a winger - so, a natural striker such as Richy and Dom and Kolo Muani, it would have been nice to have that extra option. I think we could still have won the game anyway."

Yves Bissouma, Ben Davies and Kota Takai were all involved in first-team training on Monday, having all missed recent matches through injury. Only Davies could be involved at Bodo/Glimt, however, with the latter pair not named in Spurs’ 25-man Champions League squad earlier this month.

Frank will have multiple opportunities to speak with the media and provide an update on his injured players ahead of Saturday. The Spurs boss will hold pre and post-game press conferences either side of Tuesday’s Champions League clash, with another media briefing to come before the weekend.

Similarly, Daniel Farke will hold his own pre-game press conference on Thursday, with Leeds looking to have come through Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth unscathed. The Whites were without Lucas Perri (quad) and Willy Gnonto (calf), however.

Leeds United’s next Premier League clash sees the visit of Tottenham in just the seventh game of the Premier League season - but ten players are already out or doubtful for Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off at Elland Road.

For Leeds, the contest will mark a second a home game against a highflying side in the space of eight days following Saturday afternoon’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth for which Whites boss Daniel Farke had key men out.

But new Tottenham boss Thomas Frank was without half a team for Saturday evening’s visit of Wolves which offered his side the chance to move second. In the end, Frank’s men needed a late Joao Palhinha equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw which has left Spurs fourth in the Premier League table ahead of the trip to the 11th-placed Whites.

Leeds now have a full week to prepare for Tottenham’s visit but Spurs face midweek action with Tuesday evening’s Champions League clash at Bodo/Glimt. Ahead of that contest, here, we run through the early injury news from both camps.

Leeds United face Thomas Frank’s Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road in their next game of the Premier League game.

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Tottenham boss Thomas Frank has made an injuries admission ahead of next weekend’s trip to Leeds United but with a defiant attacking view.

Spurs lined up for Saturday evening’s hosting of struggling Wolves knowing a win would send them second but Frank’s side needed a 94th-minute strike from Joao Palhinha to salvage a 1-1 draw.

Missing injured pair Dominic Solanke (ankle) and Randal Kolo Muani (dead leg), Frank’s options upfront were limited and Richarlison played the full game in the no 9 role but without any joy.

Speaking at his post match press conference and as quoted by Tottenham’s official website, Frank admitted the availability of a Solanke or Muani “would have been nice” - yet insisted that his team still could have taken all three points.

“Would have been nice”

Asked if his Spurs were suffering from not being able to bring on the likes of Solanke or Kolo Muani to change what they have upfront, Frank reasoned: "I think there were enough offensive actions.

“But, of course, it's to have one natural striker.

“I think Mathys (Tel) can play striker, but he's probably a striker and a winger - so, a natural striker as Richy and Dom and Kolo Muani would have been nice to have that extra option.

“I think we could still have won the game anyway."

Spurs are also without Radu Dragusin (ACL), Dejan Kulusevski (knee), Yves Bissouma (unknown), summer signing Kota Takai (plantar fascia) and longer-term absentee James Maddison (ACL rupture).

Ben Davies has also been out of late with a knee injury but midfielder Pape Sarr returned from a thigh injury as a 78th-minute substitute in Saturday’s clash against Wolves.

Leeds United are already reaping the benefits from what was an ambitious summer transfer window as ten new faces arrived at Elland Road ahead of the new Premier League season.

After securing the Championship title on the final day of last season and landing a return to the top flight, the Elland Road hierarchy authorised a spend of around £100 million as Daniel Farke’s squad was boosted in preparation to face the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and reigning champions Liverpool.

The likes of Sean Longstaff, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor and Anton Stach have all impressed during the opening two months of the season and have established themselves as key players within the Whites ranks.

The focus has already switched towards the January transfer window and adding further strength to Farke’s squad in a bid to remain in top tier. Leeds are able to sign free agents at the moment and there are some intriguing options on a list of players without a club - although they would not be able to feature until January.

Leeds United are set for a string of interesting reunions over the coming weeks as former players turn out for Premier League opponents. Daniel Farke’s side welcome Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur to Elland Road over the next fortnight, both of whom boast ex-Whites midfielders within their ranks.

Elland Road is not the most forgiving environment and returning players deemed to have wronged the club by fans will certainly know where they stand. Those same supporters remain loyal and appreciative of others to have worn the famous white shirt, however, with chants of ‘you’re Leeds, and you know you are’ expected at different points of the season.

All in all, 15 former Leeds stars could play a part in their respective team’s trip to LS11 between now and May, with some very interesting returns on the horizon. Below, the YEP takes a look at when those particular players are due back.

All eyes will turn back towards Elland Road as Leeds United look to build on a big win at Wolves when they face AFC Bournemouth and Tottenham Hotspur in a home double header over the next fortnight.

After falling behind to an early goal from Ladislav Krejci, Daniel Farke’s men claimed a huge three points at Molineux as summer signings Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Anton Stach and Noah Okafor all grabbed their first goals for the club and set off wild celebrations in the away end.

However, it will be the home faithful rather than the travelling support who will be the focus when Leeds return to Elland Road next weekend when Bournemouth are the visitors.

Another sold-out crowd is expected and similar will follow when Spurs make the same trip seven days later - but how does Leeds United’s average attendance compare to their rivals across the Premier League?