Inside Futbol

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Fixture: Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: Premier League

Kick-off: 12:30 UK time

Thomas Frank has picked his Tottenham Hotspur side to lock horns with Leeds United at Elland Road this afternoon, in a Premier League game we have previewed here.

Tottenham have had a positive start to the new Premier League campaign, collecting eleven points from their six games so far, and Frank will know the importance of another three-point haul heading into October’s international break.

His side have stumbled somewhat in recent games, drawing against Brighton and Wolves, along with also drawing in the Champions League against Bodo/Glimt earlier this week.

Indeed, Spurs’ only win in their last four games came in the EFL Cup against Doncaster Rovers.

Frank continues to be without striker Randal Kolo Muani, who has been suffering from a dead leg, but is now back on the grass.

He is able to welcome back defender Cristian Romero, who missed the Bodo/Glimt game, and starts against Leeds today.

Guglielmo Vicario slots in between the sticks for Tottenham this afternoon.

In defence, the Spurs boss picks a back four of Pedro Porro, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie.

Midfield sees Spurs go with Joao Palhinha, Rodrigo Bentancur and Xavi Simons, while leading the attacking push are Wilson Odobert, Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel.

Frank has a host of options on the bench and after a busy run of games may want to make changes at some point in the 90 minutes. Amongst those he can turn to are Richarlison and Archie Gray.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Leeds United

Vicario, Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Palhinha, Bentancur, Simons, Kudus, Odobert, Tel

Substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Richarlison, Gray, Bergvall, Johnson, Spence, Sarr, Davies

Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images

Fixture: Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: Premier League

Kick-off: 4th October, 12:30 UK time

Leeds United will roll out the red carpet at Elland Road for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon as both clubs bid to go into October’s international break on a positive note.

Daniel Farke’s Leeds showed great promise in their last match and should have earned all three points against Bournemouth. After Sean Longstaff’s goal in the 54th minute, they looked well on course until Eli Junior Kroupi’s 93rd minute strike made it 2-2.

One of the Premier League’s tallest teams have already shown that they can be as lethal as they were in the Championship last season. Despite not dominating possession, they can score goals, five of which have come in the last two games.

Set pieces have helped and Farke has been thrilled at the quality of the deliveries from Anton Stach and Longstaff.

In front of their fans, Leeds will even more motivated and want to repay the faith shown in them.

Longstaff will again be needed to step up, with the midfielder increasingly becoming a leader, something which Stach has noticed.

Meanwhile, the exhilaration Tottenham fans felt following their performance in the UEFA Super Cup under Thomas Frank, has waned somewhat in the following months.

They have not been able to grab things by the scruff of the neck consistently and were lucky to get a draw away at Bodo/Glimt in midweek.

Frank admitted that they may well have lost the physical battle against the Norwegians.

The focus now turns back to the league where the Londoners are set to take on newcomers Leeds United.

Their last match against bottom side Wolves did not yield the desired outcome, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Vitor Pereira’s side, with the Wolves boss even feeling hard done by.

A week later, Frank will be desperate to rectify the mistakes they committed in their last match, but he remains without striker Randal Kolo Muani, though has confirmed that Cristian Romero will start.

Nothing less than a win will do for Spurs as they bid to show they are contenders to be in the Champions League again next season, something they will have to rely on their league placing for.

Predicted Lineups

Leeds United Tottenham Hotspur Darlow Vicario Bogle Porro Struijk Romero Rodon Van de Ven Gudmundsson Spence Longstaff Bentancur Ampadu Palhinha Stach Bergvall Aaronson Kudus Okafor Johnson Calvert-Lewin Richarlison Predicted lineups

Recent Form (league)

Leeds United: DWLDL

Tottenham Hotspur: DDWLW

Key Men

Leeds United

Despite the gigantic nature of the opponents, the Whites will hold no bars in front of their fans. There can be no denying the fact that the fans work as the 12th man for the home team and that will again be the case on Saturday.

The job, though, will eventually have to be done by the players on the pitch. For Leeds to earn all three points, their summer signing Dominic Calvert-Lewin will have a significant role to play.

Yet another summer signing, Sean Longstaff, who scored his first goal in a Leeds shirt in their last match, can be important yet again, not just to score goals but to build up play from midfield and guide his team-mates.

Tottenham Hotspur

For the away team, Thomas Frank’s influence will be more important than anything else. Tottenham have put a lot of faith in their new manager and it is time for him to deliver the goods. Last season’s Europa League success under Ange Postecoglou will soon be forgotten and the fans will demand more.

On the pitch, Richarlison can show his quality and show that, after repeatedly being linked with a move away in recent transfer windows, he is now a key man.

Joao Palhinha has been nothing short of a sensation for Tottenham and with midfield set to be an important battleground, he needs to be on top form again.

Result Competition Leeds United 1-4 Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 Leeds United Premier League Leeds United 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Last three meetings

Match Prediction

Tottenham have not been easy opponents for Leeds in recent meetings. All the suggestions are that Tottenham should edge it.

However, games are not won on paper and Farke’s team have proven over the six games they have played that they will not be immediate relegation contenders come the end of the season.

Farke’s preferred 4-3-3 formation will give them width down the flanks and the likes of Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle would definitely love to exploit it, as they have done so far in multiple games.

Tottenham though look to have a little extra quality to get them out of a tight situation and that could just about see them through at Elland Road.

Inside Futbol Score Prediction

Leeds United 1-2 Tottenham Hotspur

Where To Watch?

Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur will be shown live in the UK on the TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate channels from 12:30 UK time.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has revealed that summer signing Randal Kolo Muani will not be in his squad to take on Leeds United this weekend.

Spurs were held to a 2-2 draw by Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League in midweek, with questions around whether they were physically dominated by the Norwegians.

Frank explained after the match that he would have to re-watch the game to see if that was indeed the case.

Now Spurs must switch their focus towards an early trip to take on Leeds on Saturday, as they bid to grab a win in the Premier League before October’s international break.

They will have to try to get it though without summer signing Kolo Muani, who has been suffering with a dead leg.

Providing an update on Kolo Muani and Kota Takai, Frank said at a press conference: “Kolo Muani will not be in the squad tomorrow.

“Kota is getting better and better. He’s trained with the team for 10 days, so that’s promising.”

However, Tottenham are able to welcome back centre-back Cristian Romero and Frank has admitted that he will start against Leeds.

Result Competition Leeds United 1- 4 Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Tottenham Hotspur 4-3 Leeds United Premier League Leeds United 0-4 Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Last three Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur meetings

“Romero is fit and available and will start tomorrow. That is promising news.

“That was contact to the foot and I think medical did a good job to get that turned around.”

When Kolo Muani will be available to play remains to be seen, however Frank confirmed he has been training on the grass, which could indicate he is not too far away.

“Kolo Muani has been on the pitch the last two days so that is a positive.”

Tottenham also remain without striker Dominic Solanke, who had to go under the knife for an injury on his foot, and more is expected to be known after the international break.

George Wood/Getty Images

Fixture: Bodo/Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur

Competition: Champions League

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Thomas Frank has picked his Tottenham Hotspur lineup to take on Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt away from home this evening in the Champions League.

Three points in the Champions League league phase are on offer and Tottenham will be keen to pick all of them up in a game they are strongly fancied to win.

Spurs have already started to adapt to Frank’s demands, with set pieces a particular focus, and something he defended using heavily when asked about it before tonight’s game.

Frank will be without Dominic Solanke tonight, with the striker needing to undergo surgery on an ankle issue.

Cristian Romero did not travel to Norway in what was described as a precaution, while Randal Kolo Muani continues to recover from his dead leg.

Tottenham met Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League last season, on their way to winning the competition, and Frank confirmed they are games he has watched, admitting he rates the Norwegians as a ‘fantastic team’.

Spurs won their Champions League opener, 1-0 against Villarreal, while Bodo/Glimt played out a 2-2 draw in the Czech Republic with Slavia Prague.

Tottenham have Guglielmo Vicario between the sticks this evening, while at the back Frank selects Pedro Porro, Kevin Danso, Micky van de Ven and Djed Spence.

In the centre of the park, Tottenham have Pape Matar Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and Lucas Bergvall, while Wilson Odobert and Brennan Johnson support Richarlison up top.

Frank has a bench full of substitutes to shake things up if needed and his options tonight include Xavi Simons and Joao Palhinha.

Bodo/Glimt have an artificial pitch, which represents a different kind of challenge for Tottenham this evening.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Bodo/Glimt

Vicario, Porro, Danso, Van de Ven, Spence, Bentancur, Sarr, Bergvall, Johnson, Odobert, Richarlison

Substitutes: Kinsky, Austin, Palhinha, Simons, Udogie, Gray, Kudus, Davies, Scarlett, Olusesi, Hardy

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur out-on-loan star Luka Vuskovic has revealed he told Hamburg officials at the end of last season that he wanted to play for the club, indicating just how much he chased the move.

Spurs snapped up the promising Croatian defender and saw him spent last season on loan at Belgian side Westerlo, to further his development.

He made such an impression on Westerlo that the club’s vice president admitted keeping hold of him was ‘a dream’.

That did not happen, as Tottenham decided to let Vuskovic move to Germany with Hamburg on loan in the summer.

With his brother at the club, it was a move that Vuskovic was keen to make and Hamburg waited for Tottenham to sign off the deal.

Now Vuskovic has revealed just how long in the making the move was as he specifically spoke to Hamburg officials at the end of last season to tell them he wanted the switch to happen.

The defender told German daily Bild: “I spoke to sporting director Claus Costa and coach Merlin Polzin and told them: I want to play here.”

Against Minutes Bayern Munich (A) 90 Heidenheim (H) 90 Union Berlin (A) 90 Luka Vuskovic’s Hamburg appearances so far

His brother is also on the books at Hamburg, but suspended due to a doping ban, and Vuskovic is clear he also told his family of his desire to play for the German side, no matter the division.

“I’ve told my family since my brother’s suspension that I want to play at Hamburg.

“Whether in the first, second, or third division.

“Two or three years ago, it was a dream; now it’s become a real possibility.”

Having already established himself in the Hamburg team, the German side would be forgiven for wanting to keep hold of him on a permanent or longer term basis.

They do not though have any purchase option in the loan agreement negotiated with Tottenham for the 18-year-old.

However, if Vuskovic is desperate for the move to happen then he could well push Spurs to sell him to Hamburg or let him stay longer.

That would leave Tottenham with a difficult decision to make as keeping the defender against his will could damage their relationship with him.

For now, Vuskovic is playing his cards close to his chest over staying longer, saying: “I’ve just arrived, so that’s not an issue right now. Let’s see what happens next summer.”

Whether the defender’s growing link with the German side will spell trouble for Tottenham remains to be seen.

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur boss Thomas Frank has insisted that set pieces are incredibly important in modern football, as he responded to comments from Bodo/Glimt’s goalkeeper.

Spurs have travelled to Norway to lock horns with Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.

The two clubs met each other last season in the Europa League, with Spurs putting the Norwegians out on their way to winning the tournament.

That included a 2-0 win away in Norway and Tottenham would welcome a repeat, but now they tackle Bodo/Glimt with a new manager at the helm in the shape of Frank.

The Norwegian side’s shot-stopper Nikita Haikin has remarked upon Frank’s Tottenham playing for set pieces, including long throws, across the pitch, feeling it is strange to see from a club the size of Spurs.

Frank is not willing to be drawn into a war of words with Haikin and stressed that set pieces are an important part of the game.

He feels that it is clever to look to use set pieces to the maximum in a bid to get on the scoresheet.

Result Competition Odd 1-3 Bodo/Glimt Norwegian Cup Rosenborg 1-1 Bodo/Glimt Eliteserien Slavia Prague 2-2 Bodo/Glimt Champions League Bodo/Glimt 7-1 Kristiansund Eliteserien Bodo/Glimt’s last four results

Asked about Haikin’s comments in a press conference, Frank responded: “I personally think that set-pieces are an extremely important part of football.

“Isn’t there a stat that 33 per cent or something like that, that all goals are scored from set-pieces?

“I think it’s okay clever to utilise a third of your opportunities to try to score a goal.

“I’m happy, that’s a fine comment. If you think that’s a strength of ours, I’m happy with that.”

Bodo/Glimt impressed in the Europa League last season, leading to a Lazio star warning Tottenham about how good they can be.

Spurs star Guglielmo Vicario was also left unhappy at only being able to take a look at Bodo/Glimt’s artificial pitch just a day before the Europa League game.

Bodo/Glimt currently sit second in the Norwegian top flight, behind Viking, but do have a game in hand as they bid to retain the title.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur out-on-loan talent Damola Ajeyi is of the view that he is still learning to tackle the demands of senior level football, but added that he is enjoying his loan spell with Doncaster Rovers so far.

The 19-year-old Spurs academy product made his senior debut with Tottenham in the Europa League last season against Elfsborg, which was marked with a goal.

However, the Europa League game was his one and only senior appearance for Spurs and Thomas Frank’s side sanctioned a loan departure for Ajyei to Doncaster Rovers this summer to help him develop.

Doncaster went head-to-head with Tottenham in the third round of the EFL Cup recently, which ended with a 3-0 defeat for Grant McCann’s side and Ajeyi featured for 61 minutes in that game.

Ajeyi stressed that he learnt the need to stay switched on for 90 minutes during the game and pointed out that, being inexperienced at senior level before joining Doncaster, he is learning a lot in his loan spell.

The Spurs talent added that he has a good team around him to help him grow and highlighted that he is enjoying his loan to Doncaster on and off the pitch.

When asked about the importance of being focused during games, Ajyei told Doncaster Rovers’ in-house media (2:23): “Yes, 100 per cent.

Player Luka Vuskovic Ashley Phillips Yang Min-hyeok Manor Solomon Alejo Veliz Alfie Devine Will Lanskhear Jamie Donley Mikey Moore Alfie Dorrington George Abbott Damola Ajayi Tottenham Hotspur stars out on loan

“Just focus throughout the 90 minutes, like, obviously, set pieces, just things that you may not have been used to at academy level, but obviously staying switched on at all times, but yes I feel like I have a good team around me.

“I feel like I am still learning quite a lot and I feel like, obviously, it is always an improvement because I had not really [played at senior level].

“I had played in the first team like once before I came here, so either way, I would say that I am obviously learning.

“It is still early into my loan, but I feel like, of what has happened so far, I have enjoyed it, like on and off the pitch.”

Doncaster boss McCann has admitted that Ajyei is learning to cope with the demands of football at senior level.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolves

Competition: Premier League

Kick-off: 20:00 UK time

Tottenham Hotspur have officially announced their starting lineup and substitutes to welcome strugglers Wolves to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this evening – read our match preview here.

Spurs have shown bright signs under new boss Thomas Frank, with ten points collected from their opening five Premier League games.

Goals have also flowed, with ten goals scored and just three conceded, something which will make Spurs firm favourites to see off Wolves tonight.

Spurs remain without Randal Kolo Muani though, as he has a dead leg.

Wolves arrive sitting rock bottom of the table, but having given a vote of confidence to manager Vitor Pereira as he tries to turn things around.

Pereira will take some encouragement from Wolves’ recent record against Tottenham, with his side having lost none of the last five meetings, winning four of those.

Wolves also arrive boosted from a 2-0 win over Everton in the EFL Cup earlier this week, but they will still start as big underdogs in north London.

Tottenham have Guglielmo Vicario in goal this evening, while at the back Frank goes with Djed Spence, Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven and Destiny Udogie.

Midfield sees Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Bentancur look to win the battles, while also selected is Lucas Bergvall.

Xavi Simons and Mohammed Kudus will join Richarlison in looking to be a goal threat.

If Frank needs to shake things up during the 90 minutes by using his substitutes then he has options and they include Mathys Tel and Kevin Danso.

Tottenham Hotspur Lineup vs Wolves

Vicario, Spence, Romero, Van de Ven, Udogie, Palhinha, Bentancur, Bergvall, Simons, Kudus, Richarlison

Substitutes: Kinsky, Danso, Tel, Gray, Johnson, Porro, Odobert, Sarr, Scarlett

Marc Atkins/Getty Images

Fixture: Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolves

Competition: Premier League

Kick-off: 27th September, 20:00 UK time

Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves have managed contrasting starts to their respective domestic seasons, currently finding themselves at either ends of the league table. Tottenham’s only loss came against Bournemouth back in August, while Wolves keep searching for their elusive first win of the season.

If those statistics are to be kept in mind, it should be a relatively easy outing for Thomas Frank and his side. However, it will still be eleven against eleven on Saturday at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Spurs will have to breach what will be a determined Wolves backline.

Tottenham have been playing free-flowing football under Frank and the 4-3-3 formation has allowed them to do that. The three-man attack provides no reprieve to the opposition defenders, who must contend with multiple threats simultaneously.

There is though no Randal Kolo Muani, who remains out with a dead leg.

Given how shaky Wolves’ defence has looked recently, all the suggestions are that it will break down at some point in the course of the game. What is optimally important is that they are not perturbed and look to strike back. They are still fresh off a 2-0 win against Everton in the EFL Cup, with a full squad available, and that winning feeling could help.

However, Wolves have desperately missed Matheus Cunha, who left for Manchester United in the summer. The bulk of pressure has hence shifted to Jorgen Strand-Larsen, who is yet to get going.

Predicted Lineups

Tottenham Hotspur Wolves Vicario Sa Porro Gomes Romero Mosquera Van de Ven S Bueno Spence Tchatchoua Bentancur Andre Palhinha Joao Gomes Bergvall R Gomes Simons Lopez Kudus Bellegard Richarlison Strand Larsen Predicted lineups

Recent Form (league)

Tottenham Hotspur: DWLWW

Wolves: LLLLL

Key Men

Tottenham Hotspur

Under Frank, Brazilian forward Richarlison has rediscovered his form. He has been leading the Spurs line this season and has three goals to show for his efforts, along with an assist.

Against an already suffering Wolves side, he could find more than one chance to add to his tally and raise his stock ahead of next year’s World Cup.

Yet another player who has quickly gone on to become a fan favourite, is summer signing from West Ham – Mohammed Kudus. Coming from the flanks, Kudus has helped set up four goals for his team-mates and has the ability to beat full-backs with his pace and skills on the ball.

Yet another of Frank’s summer signings, Joao Palhinha, has also been important for the team and his capture already looks like a shrewd piece of business.

Wolves

On the lookout for their first points of the season, Wolves will take anything but a loss; the onus on the night will be on their two central defenders.

Vitor Pereira has tried multiple combinations at the back but can turn to his young Colombian defender, Yerson Mosquera, again when the daunting challenge beckons him. He is expected to be partnered by a relatively more experienced Toti Gomes, who has been through the club’s ups and downs in recent years.

At the other end of the pitch, the onus will be on striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, who has hogged a lot of limelight of late, but is yet to channel the attention onto the pitch. He is yet to open his Premier League goalscoring account this season and there can be no better place to do that than at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Result Competition Wolves 4-2 Tottenham Hotspur Premier League Tottenham Hotspur 2-2 Wolves Premier League Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 Wolves Premier League Last three meetings

Match Prediction

Previous records suggest that Wolves have been tough opponents for Tottenham. They have struggled against them not just once.

In the current situation, though, it is Tottenham who hold an edge over Pereira’s team. They are expected to bombard Wolves with multiple shots and it will definitely be a test of nerves for the visiting manager on the touchline.

Not even the most faithful of Wolves fans will give them a chance to survive and will hope that things do not turn too ugly for them.

Newcomers Leeds United had their chances against a hapless Wolves side last weekend and though they beat Everton midweek, marked improvement will be needed to turn things around against a high-flying Tottenham side.

Inside Futbol Score Prediction

Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 Wolves

Where To Watch?

Tottenham Hotspur vs Wolves will be shown live on Sky Sports Premier League, with kick-off at 20:00 UK time.

Ed Sykes/Getty Images

Doncaster Rovers boss Grant McCann has been left mesmerised with the way Tottenham Hotspur‘s players maintain their body and hailed Spurs’ stadium as an amazing place.

Tottenham have made a flying start to the season under new manager Thomas Frank and on Wednesday they faced League One side Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Cup third round.

The tie allowed Spurs loanee Damola Ageyi to return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and the player was at a loss for words to explain his feelings after the game.

Joao Palhinha’s early strike gave Tottenham the lead in the 14th minute of the game and their advantage doubled a few minutes later with Jay McGrath’s own goal, while Brennan Johnson’s injury-time goal sealed the game for them.

Doncaster boss McCann revealed that he was impressed with the fitness standard Tottenham Hotspur’s players have maintained, due to which he believes that not a scratch of fat will be found on their body.

He was also amazed with the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and pointed out that the away dressing room at Spurs’ ground is bigger than the home dressing room in the Eco-Power Stadium.

“They [supporters] know what sort of task the players had; when you get to this level, you can just see the difference”, McCann told Doncaster Rovers in-house media (6:30).

Player Loan from Connor O’Riordan Blackburn Rovers Charlie Crew Leeds United Damola Ajayi Tottenham Hotspur Thimothee Lo-Tutala Hull City Toyosi Olusanya Houston Dynamo Doncaster Rovers’ loan players

“The pace, the power – every player is lean, like proper lean; there is not a scratch of fat on any of them really and it is a different world. It really is.

“Like, this place is a different world.

“I think my little coach’s office inside the away changing room is bigger than our home inside changing room at the stadium.

“It is just an amazing place.”

Tottenham are in the fourth round of the EFL Cup and they will face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, who are the defending champions, at St. James’ Park in October.

Spurs will now shift their focus to the Premier League, as they are set to face Wolves at the weekend and their recent record against the Midlands outfit is not one to brag about, as they last won against them in 2022.