Yorkshire Evening Post

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.

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.”

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 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.”

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.”

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.

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.

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.

A huge boost for Leeds United’s relegation rivals has changed the survival battle picture.

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Leeds United’s relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur have given themselves a huge boost in their quest to stay up, leading to a massive change in the survival battle picture.

Leeds kicked nine points clear of third-bottom Tottenham with Friday night’s 3-1 win at home to Burnley but with Spurs having four games left as opposed to United’s three.

Tottenham began the weekend still sat in the division’s relegation zone despite last weekend’s 1-0 win at Wolves as fourth-bottom West Ham also recorded a 2-1 triumph at home to Everton.

As well as kicking nine points clear of Tottenham, Friday night’s win against Burnley also sent Leeds seven points clear of West Ham who then travelled to Brentford on Saturday afternoon in a 3pm kick-off.

The Hammers, though, suffered a 3-0 defeat which offered Spurs the chance to move out of the drop zone in Sunday evening’s clash at Aston Villa and Tottenham took the opportunity with both hands in recording a 2-1 success.

‘Completely overrun by Roberto De Zerbi’s visitors’

Ahead of Thursday evening’s Europa League semi-final second leg at home to Nottingham Forest, boss Unai Emery made seven changes to his side who produced an absolute no show in the first half as they were completely overrun by Roberto De Zerbi’s visitors.

A stunning Conor Gallagher strike from the edge of the box fired Spurs ahead with 12 minutes on the clock and Richarlison headed home a Mathys Tel cross 13 minutes later to double the Tottenham lead.

Joao Palhinha had earlier hit the post for a side whose ferocious press all around the pitch was clear, especially compared to the efforts of Villa.

The hosts were loudly booed off at the interval amid looks of disbelief and bemusement from their supporters.

Emery opted against making changes at the interval but Villa still offered next to nothing.

The Villa boss finally made a change on the hour mark as Ollie Watkins was brought on to replace Tammy Abraham.

Villa finally started to improve and De Zerbi then made a double change as Randal Kolo Muani and Rodrigo Bentancur were replaced by Yves Bissouma and Bentancur.

Bentancur had earlier taken a knock in the first half.

Kolo Muani, meanwhile, high fived the entire front row of Tottenham’s travelling fans as he made his way around the pitch with well over minutes still remaining.

Morgan Rogers’ evening was then summed up as he was booked, Emery making two more changes in the 82nd minute as Jadon Sancho and Ross Barkley were replaced by Emi Buendia and Leon Bailey.

Another possible injury blow

Villa finally went close in the 89th minute as Tyrone Mings headed just wide from a corner but Spurs had looked destined for victory from a very early stage although the team suffered another possible injury blow as Richarlison left the pitch gingerly when coming off in the closing stages.

Villa then pulled a goal back in the 96th minute as Buendia flicked home a neat header but the damage had been done in a massive boost for Tottenham and particularly huge blow for West Ham.

The victory has created the huge change of leaving Tottenham’s survival destiny back in their own hands at the expense of West Ham who are now third-bottom, one point behind Spurs, three points behind Nottingham Forest and seven behind both Leeds and Crystal Palace.

Spurs are now six points behind Leeds who they play next Monday night at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Leeds, though, 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.

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 and Leeds whilst making up 14 goals on the goal difference front.

When Leeds United can be mathematically safe by after a fresh boost.

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Leeds United have received another boost on the back of Friday night’s win against Burnley - but when can the Whites be mathematically safe from relegation by?

Leeds kicked nine points clear of third-bottom Tottenham Hotspur with Friday’s 3-1 win against the Clarets at Elland Road but with Tottenham having four games left to play as opposed to United’s three.

Spurs could now move back within six points of Leeds with a victory from Sunday evening’s 7pm kick-off at Aston Villa but defeat would leave them nine points behind with just three games remaining.

Tottenham - who Leeds visit next Monday night - also have a minus five worse goal difference than Leeds so even a 1-0 defeat would make that minus six but ultimately Leeds would still not be mathematically safe, albeit just about.

Instead, it is the fresh boost of fourth-bottom West Ham’s 3-0 defeat at Brentford on Saturday that has now presented the possibility of Farke’s side being mathematically safe before they even visit Tottenham next Monday night.

Win for title-chasers makes Leeds mathematically safe

Saturday’s defeat to the Bees has left fourth-bottom West Ham seven points behind Leeds with three games to play but the Irons face an almighty task in their next game when they host title-chasing Arsenal next Sunday afternoon in a 4.30pm kick-off.

Unless Manchester City drop points at Everton on Monday, Arsenal must win at West Ham to keep their title destiny in their own hands and a Gunners win would make Leeds mathematically safe from relegation with three games left to play.

A win for Mikel Arteta’s men would leave Leeds seven points ahead of the Irons who would have just two games left.

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 and Leeds whilst making up 14 goals on the goal difference front.

Tottenham, meanwhile, would have to beat Leeds and also Chelsea and Everton to stand any chance of finishing above the Whites if they lose at Villa on Sunday night, even if Leeds fail to pick up one more point.

As such, it would feel like the Whites were pretty much safe should Villa beat them.

But mathematically speaking, next Sunday afternoon presents the first opportunity for the Whites to know for definite they are mathematically safe.