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Next up for Leeds United in their bid to survive relegation from the Premier League is the welcome of Tottenham Hotspur, and the reigniting of a rivalry with manager Thomas Frank.

Frank’s rivalry with Leeds stems from the promotion run-ins Leeds faced with Brentford in the second tier, worsened by the transfer of Pontus Jansson from Elland Road to Brentford during Marcelo Bielsa’s reign.

In the summer, Frank finally left Brentford and joined Tottenham. The Dane has made an impressive start to life at Spurs, having replaced Ange Postecoglou, who himself is struggling over at Nottingham Forest.

Leeds will be without Dan James, but could be set to welcome back Willy Gnonto and Lucas Perri after spells on the sidelines. Tottenham are without a whole host of players, including James Maddison.

Daniel Farke’s record against Tottenham boss Thomas Frank

Obviously, Farke is yet to meet Frank as Leeds manager, and Frank has only ever faced Leeds as Brentford manager. The two have done battle on five occasions, though, in games between Norwich and Brentford.

Remarkably, and especially given how Brentford have overtaken Norwich during Frank’s tenure, Farke has never suffered defeat to Frank. Farke has picked up three wins as Norwich manager against Brentford.

Two draws have been shared between Farke and Frank. On Saturday, Frank would need to do something for the first time if his Spurs side are to come to Leeds and manage to beat Farke’s men on Saturday.

Leeds’ last 10 games against Tottenham, including the last win

As you might imagine, Leeds don’t have a brilliant record against Spurs given they have been a top-four side for much of the last 20 years. Of the last 10 games, Tottenham have been victorious seven times.

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Leeds have won on two occasions, while one draw coming in the last 10. Leeds’ last win came during Marcelo Bielsa’s reign, a 3-1 win over Spurs in which Stuart Dallas, Patrick Bamford and Rodrigo scored.

The October break follows the clash against Tottenham, before Leeds face two pivotal relegation battles against Burnley at Turf Moor and then West Ham at Elland Road. Two huge games for Farke’s men.

Leeds United face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League this weekend, with Thomas Frank’s side having finished 17th last season under Ange Postecoglou.

In that sense, this is not the same Spurs team it once was with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min tearing Leeds United apart in their last stay in the Premier League from 2020-2023.

Since a famous FA Cup win in 2012/13, with Leeds winning 2-1 against Gareth Bale and co. thanks to a stunning Ross McCormack strike, there have been six meetings in the Premier League.

Spurs have won five of those, including doing the double over Leeds in each of the last two top flight seasons, winning 4-1 (A) and 4-3 (H) in 2023/24 and 4-0 (A) and 2-1 (H) in 2022/23.

Outside of those games, Leeds and Tottenham have featured in Premier League thrillers previously. However, this is still a chance for the Whites to make more of the game than in seasons gone by, and the numbers show why.

Spurs’ attacking woes offer Leeds hope, here’s why

Not only do Leeds have a long unbeaten run to protect at Elland Road, which spans back over a year now to September 2024, but they are also performing better than anticipated from their eight-point start to the campaign.

As an example, the stats and the final result show that Leeds held their own against Bournemouth far better than Spurs did during their 1-0 home defeat to Andoni Iraola’s side recently.

Against Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt, Spurs had to equalise in additional time from Richarlison in midweek’s UEFA Champions League game as well. Despite just two defeats under Frank (one on penalties to PSG), they are evidently still finding their feet under Frank.

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Leeds have won just two of the last 14 games against Spurs, which includes that 2-1 FA Cup win in 2013 and a 3-1 win in front of no fans under Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road in May 2021.

However, in an attacking sense for Spurs, the data suggests Leeds can shut them out. Ally McCoist believes Leeds have a chance vs Tottenham, too. Leeds have lost 10 of the last 14 encounters in this fixture, though.

As shown by analyst and writer Anthony Dabbundo, Spurs generated 0.56 open play xG against Wolves, 1.18 vs Brighton, 0.39 vs Villarreal, 0.60 vs West Ham, and 0.15 vs Bournemouth. Last night, FotMob suggest that was 0.89 against Bodo/Glimt.

Leeds may well have scored 95 goals last season, but their strength has been in making games cagey, low-margin, and tight. Outside of that Arsenal thumping, they have learned lessons and been able to do so.

Despite what Opta think Spurs can do to Leeds at Elland Road, that bodes well for Daniel Farke, given the attacking issues depicted above from their visitors.

Harry Kane’s sensational record for Spurs against Leeds

The referee has been chosen for Leeds against Tottenham, and they will hope for a solid performance here and no soft penalties or anything else of that nature.

Fortunately for Leeds, Kane will not be playing. The former Spurs striker has a sensational record against them. In eight games, he has won five and drawn one, but it’s the damage he did in terms of scoring which is the major issue.

Kane has five goals and two assists against Leeds in those games. That includes two goals in his last visit to Elland Road and an assist and a goal in 2022 the year before as well.

Leeds’ nemesis will not be present this weekend, although Spurs’ frontline has enough goal threats to consider without him on Saturday.

Leeds United face Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road this Saturday, with the Whites remaining unbeaten at home in the Premier League.

In fact, Leeds United are unbeaten in 382 days, which will be 384 at Elland Road by the time Saturday comes around. The results so far include a 1-0 win over Everton, a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United, and a last-gasp draw with AFC Bournemouth.

The Whites would have won that game 2-1 were it not for that late equaliser from Eli Junior Kroupi. As it is, they face yet another stern test against a team with expectations of qualifying for European competition for 2026/27.

Spurs may well have finished 17th last season, but they are a UEFA Champions League outfit again. Qualification this season came via their win in the Europa League final against Man United back in May.

Opta supercomputer highlights Leeds’ chances of beating Spurs

Thomas Frank is at the helm now, but Leeds and Spurs have had a strong working relationship in recent seasons. Gretar Steinsson has held roles at both sides, which helped secure signings like Joe Rodon and Manor Solomon.

Of course, it also saw Archie Gray depart Leeds for Tottenham last summer. This will be the first time he faces his former side, and it almost certainly won’t be the last.

Leeds performed way better than Spurs against Bournemouth, but that will have little to no bearing on the outcome of Saturday. Ally McCoist has had his say on Leeds vs Tottenham already.

The referee has been selected for Leeds against Tottenham, with Leeds looking to protect an unbeaten league record which dates back to September 2024 when they lost 1-0 to Burnley.

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Leeds and Spurs have played out some thrillers previously and Opta is backing the away side to collect a result. The statistics are as follows: Spurs 44.4% likely to win, Leeds 30.6%, and a draw is 25%.

Those are incredibly similar to the stats last time out, with Opta predicting Bournemouth to get a result against Leeds. They did, but in the cruellest of circumstances.

It means that their supercomputer is backing Spurs to win or draw in 69.4% of cases, with Bournemouth given a 69.8% chance last week. That said, Gabriel Gudmundsson has extra motivation to beat Spurs, with Swedish internationals on both sides of this fixture.

Harry Gray remains happy at Leeds despite Spurs links emerging and he turns 17 in the next week, meaning he can sign a professional contract instead of scholarship terms.

Gray has been nominated for awards at U-21 level already, which is very likely to stir up more interest in Leeds’ young striker from Spurs — but also potentially beyond.

Newcastle United and Aston Villa have checked on Leeds’ Gray previously, but the situation is unlikely that Gray joins with brother Archie at Tottenham.

Leeds United host Tottenham Hotspur in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off in the Premier League, a game that will see Archie Gray and Djed Spence return to Elland Road for the first time.

It will also see Joe Rodon face his old employers for the first time since initially going on loan to Leeds in the summer of 2023, since signing for £10m. Rodon is in red-hot form, picked in Troy Deeney’s TOTW.

The feel-good factor is alive at Elland Road after coming so close to beating Bournemouth, conceding in the 93rd minute to draw 2-2. Eight points from six games has given fans faith that survival is possible.

Now, Leeds welcome Spurs to Elland Road in the final game before the October break. Now 23 games unbeaten at home, Leeds are the closest they’ve been to breaking Don Revie’s 1968-70 record since 1992.

Ally Brazil and Ally McCoist disagree on Leeds’ chances

It will be a tough game, though Leeds are boosted by Tottenham having to play in Norway on Tuesday night. Less travel, more rest, and home advantage against a side that are obviously a much better team.

Discussing the clash on TalkSPORT (01/10, 7.30AM), former Tottenham star Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist disagreed over Leeds’ chances. Brazil thinks Spurs will “surely” beat Leeds, but McCoist is not so sure.

Brazil said, “It’s going to be a great game. A game that Tottenham shouldn’t lose, even though Leeds are playing with a lot of spirit. If Spurs can go to The Etihad and win, they can go to Leeds and win, surely.”

McCoist replied: “But they will face a different kind of team, at The Etihad you’ll not have possession and hit them on the counter attack. Leeds will come flying out at you, unlucky not to beat Bournemouth.”

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The last time Leeds faced Tottenham, it didn’t end very well…

Leeds’ last clash against Tottenham came in May 2023, the final game of the 2022-23 season. It ended in a 4-1 Tottenham win, and Leeds were confirmed as relegated. The fourth of Sam Allardyce’s four games.

Jack Harrison scored his last goal for Leeds, which would ultimately prove to be his final game for Leeds for two years before his surprise return in the summer. Leeds’ record against Tottenham is not convincing.

A run of 10 defeats in the last 14 meetings between the two sides, Leeds have only won twice in that time. But with Spurs playing in Norway on Tuesday and Elland Road on side, Leeds are capable of anything.

The seventh matchday of Leeds United’s 2025/26 season sees Daniel Farke’s side remain at Elland Road for a consecutive game when they face Tottenham Hotspur.

Four points from the last two fixtures has given Leeds United a platform following the 1-0 defeat to Fulham, with Spurs heading back to Elland Road for the first time since the final day of 2023/24.

Leeds were relegated from the Premier League that day, with Jack Harrison’s consolation all that they had to show for the display where Spurs won 4-1. There is renewed optimism compared to the desperate end to that campaign.

Leeds have Daniel Farke in charge, while Thomas Frank takes charge of a game against Leeds for the first time with a team not called Brentford.

Tom Bramall placed in charge of Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur

There has been recent refereeing controversy for Leeds, but they have not had much experience with the chosen referee for Saturday’s clash, which will be broadcast live on TNT Sport for the lunchtime kick-off.

Now, for this weekend, Tom Bramall has been appointed as referee as per the Premier League website. It will be just the third game in charge of the Whites for the referee, while Aussie ref Jarred Gillett will remain on VAR duty.

He is joined by assistants Ian Hussin and Andrew Dallison and the fourth official is Rob Jones. However, Bramall is fairly inexperienced when it comes to Leeds.

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A Sheffield-based referee, Bramall took charge of the Luton Town 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road, which, coincidentally, is the final time Leeds dropped points during the 2024/25 season.

It was controversial and Leeds fans were frustrated at the decision to appoint Bramall last time out. They may well have concerns regarding the origin of Saturday’s match official, but referees in England are held to the highest standard of professionalism.

There wasn’t much to speak of that day, even if the decision caused uproar, but Cardiff City in the FA Cup was more controversial, with that being the fixture where Willy Gnonto scored his scissor kick in a 5-2 win

However, as can be seen above, Bramall gave a penalty against Marc Roca in that game for handball, so there has already been one piece of controversy attached to the referee.

Leeds United’s recent record against Spurs

The overall head-to-head between Leeds and Spurs is broadly similar over the years, according to 11vs11, with the visitors holding the slight upper hand overall.

In 103 games between the two sides in all competitions, Tottenham have won 41 times, with 29 draws. Leeds have tasted victory 33 times, but they have struggled in the recent meetings between the two sides.

Since a famous FA Cup win in 2012/13, with Leeds winning 2-1 against Gareth Bale and co. thanks to a stunning Ross McCormack strike, there have been six meetings in the Premier League.

Spurs did the double over Leeds in each of the last two top flight seasons, winning 4-1 (A) and 4-3 (H) in 2023/24 and 4-0 (A) and 2-1 (H) in 2022/23.

However, in Marcelo Bielsa’s first campaign in the Premier League, Leeds lost the first encounter 3-0 but Spurs did not batter Leeds at Elland Road like they did the other two occasions. Instead, Leeds won 3-1 comfortably.

Leeds United are preparing to take on Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road, 25 years after the two teams played out a seven-goal thriller in the 2000/01 season.

Daniel Farke and his Leeds team are getting used to the underdog tag following their return to the Premier League, having dominated the Championship last season.

Tottenham have enjoyed a strong start to the new season, but they needed a last-minute goal against Wolves to steal a point, a week after Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored to dispatch the strugglers from the West Midlands.

Leeds are defending a proud home record as Spurs travel to Elland Road, as the Whites look to take another step towards securing their Premier League safety.

They can take inspiration from a dramatic victory 25 years ago, as Mark Viduka and Alan Smith helped Leeds win a thrilling encounter.

Leeds United secured a dramatic win over Spurs in 2000

Leeds came into their clash with Spurs on 30th September 2000 in high spirits, having enjoyed one of their greatest European nights in the recent 6-0 win over Besiktas.

The Elland Road crowd was treated to another goal fest four days later, as Leeds were made to work for their victory. David O’Leary’s side appeared to be suffering from a European hangover when Sergei Rebrov fired home to hand the visitors a 1-0 lead after 37 minutes.

However, Leeds suddenly burst into life in the second half, in a wild twelve-minute period. Having scored his first goal for the club against Besiktas, Viduka pulled Leeds level after 52 minutes, poking home from close range after a Lee Bowyer cross caused chaos in the Spurs box.

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Leeds went ahead three minutes later, as Viduka added his second, sticking out a toe to divert the ball past Neil Sullivan after Gary Kelly had scuffed a speculative long-range effort towards goal.

The Whites appeared to have the game sewn up in the 59th minute as Alan Smith got in on the act. After winning a free-kick on the edge of the Spurs box through some typical harrying on the opposition defence, Smith headed home to give Leeds a seemingly unassailable lead.

But Tottenham refused to lie down, and defender Chris Perry gave them a lifeline when he headed home on the hour mark. Leeds looked to have killed the game for a second time when Smith added his second header of the game to make it 4-2 before Rebrov’s late goal set up a tense finish.

The win moved Leeds back up to fourth in the table, with four wins and two points from their opening eight games in a season dominated by their European campaign.

Leeds vs Tottenham – Head-to-head record

The overall head-to-head between Leeds and Tottenham is broadly equal over the years, according to 11vs11, with Spurs holding the upper hand on balance.

In 103 games between the two sides in all competitions, Tottenham have won 41 times, with 29 draws.

Leeds have tasted victory 33 times, but they have struggled in the recent meetings between the two sides.

The Premier League circus moves swiftly on from the sixth round of fixtures, with focus now on this weekend, and Leeds United are at Elland Road again to face Tottenham Hotspur.

Micah Richards said Daniel Farke will be “kicking himself” after watching Leeds concede a 93rd-minute equaliser to Bournemouth. The second time that Leeds have lost points in injury time already this season.

If games finished at 90 minutes, Leeds would have 11 points and would sit above Man City in the Premier League table. But Gabriel Gudmundsson’s own goal and Eli Junior Kroupi’s strike see Leeds sit in 11th.

Still, a good start, and Daniel Farke will take plenty of confidence from his side’s form. Especially, with the welcome of Tottenham on Saturday. Spurs are the third Champions League side Leeds will have faced.

Sean Longstaff sends message to Leeds supporters on Monday

Danny Murphy said Leeds had made the signing of the summer in Sean Longstaff. It was a big claim, with Murphy making the point after his man-of-the-match display against Newcastle, his first league start.

Longstaff didn’t start against Everton or Arsenal, but has remained in the XI since the 0-0 draw against Newcastle. On Saturday, Longstaff was man of the match again, scoring his first goal and creating a goal.

Longstaff is a likeable player, too. Fans will have loved Longstaff saying he jokingly threatened to “chin” Michael Oliver if he disallowed his goal. On Monday, he sent a message to Leeds fans ahead of Spurs.

“Loved it out there and excited for another home game at Elland Road this weekend,” Longstaff posted on X, ahead of Saturday’s welcome of Archie Gray’s Tottenham, Joe Rodon’s old team.

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Where does Sean Longstaff rank among Leeds players?

As things stand, Anton Stach is Leeds’ best player according to the stats. Of course, numbers are not everything, and that is proven in Gabriel Gudmundsson not even being in the top 10, even if he’s starring.

The numbers are right when it comes to Longstaff, however. After Saturday’s dazzling display, Longstaff is a close second behind Stach as Leeds’ second-best player during the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.

What is true, is that Longstaff has been a stunning signing and there is clearly a reason why Leeds pushed hard to get a deal over the line for the new no.8. Longstaff only joined after a fourth bid was tabled.

Leeds United only ended up selling two players for a fee in the summer and it meant The Whites maxed out their PSR position. Any more signings would require a sale in January, or before June 30.

Leeds tried to sign Harry Wilson and Facundo Buonanotte but ultimately, they settled with what the 10 signings made. For now, Leeds will pass the PSR benchmark for 2025-26, unless they make more signings.

Sunderland and Burnley, Leeds’ fellow newly-promoted sides, did it differently. They sold one or two of their best players to be able to spend more. Jobe Bellingham, Tommy Watson and James Trafford left.

If Leeds were to sell a player, chances are it might have been Pascal Struijk. Leeds identified two players that would give them mass PSR profit in Struijk and Willy Gnonto, but both players have been kept on.

Graeme Bailey on Pascal Struijk’s future at Leeds United

Struijk has been excellent so far. Despite the signing of Jaka Bijol, Struijk has remained first choice and impressed alongside Joe Rodon. But, the defender has entered the final two years of his Leeds contract.

LeedsUnited.News spoke to transfer expert Graeme Bailey about Struijk’s future and he says Leeds have to be careful regarding Struijk’s next few years, with Tottenham and other Premier League clubs keen.

“I never got a feeling he was going to leave. Farke made him feel wanted. I don’t think that’ll [new contract] be far off. He’s a fabulous player. He does attract interest. You know, Leeds have to be careful.

“We know the likes of Brighton have looked at him in the past and you know, if they lose a Jan Paul van Hecke, would they look at Struijk? We know that Tottenham looked at him as well,” Bailey continued.

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“Left-sided centre-backs are worth their weight in gold. If Brentford lose Nathan Collins they could come in. Leeds will be looking to extend him because there’s an awful lot of clubs who would take him.”

Pascal Struijk admits clubs wanted to sign him this summer

It comes after Struijk admitted that there was interest in his services this week. The defender said that he chose to remain at Leeds because he wanted to taste what it felt like to be back in the Premier League.

Importantly, with Leeds. Struijk’s decision has paid off so far, with the Ajax academy graduate impressing alongside Rodon. Whether he can remain fit, unlike the last two seasons, remains to be seen.

But for now, Struijk and Rodon are two of the first names on the Leeds team sheet and Struijk will be one of the happier members of the team, given he must have thought Bijol was signed to replace him.

Manor Solomon did not join Leeds United in the summer, with the Spurs winger heading to Spain and Villarreal instead.

For much of the summer, the Manor Solomon links to Leeds United refused to go away, with the late stages of the window a period when Solomon’s wife wanted a return to Leeds from Tottenham Hotspur.

Having elected to return to Spurs in an attempt to fight for his place in their side under new manager Thomas Frank, developments since then revealed that Spurs were open to Solomon leaving.

That was either on loan or permanently. It was also stated that Solomon wanted a Premier League move, having returned to Spurs and realising that he was out of favour under Frank.

Manor Solomon selects strange squad number for Villarreal

Leicester City had a late look at Solomon and it was also reported that Crystal Palace opened Solomon talks around deadline day as well.

In the end, Champions League side Villarreal signed Solomon instead in a period the Israeli described as ‘crazy’ to move to La Liga from London.

It was not Solomon’s first choice to move to Villarreal but it’s an interesting move after securing 23 goal involvements for Leeds last term in the Championship.

For Leeds, he donned the number 14 shirt, which has since been taken by Lukas Nmecha. However, such a late switch to Villarreal has meant Solomon has had to take whatever was left.

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Typically the number of a defender or defensive midfielder, Solomon has revealed on his Instagram story that he has taken the number six shirt for El Submarino Amarillo.

He said: “The only number left

“Will turn it into a winger’s number “

Graham Smyth’s view of Leeds not signing Manor Solomon

In the end, he didn’t return. Graham Smyth doesn’t think Leeds need Solomon, too. Even with Largie Ramazani heading out on loan, Leeds have a number of wide options.

At the time, Smyth stated Leeds were likely to add just one more attacking signing to their squad in the final days of the window, and a fan asked whether that was likely to be Solomon.

The YEP journalist responded unequivocally, stating, “He’s not really what they need, so ideally not.”

Given Leeds United’s position in the food chain as a football club, there will always be other clubs — like Tottenham Hotspur — who pinch their best players.

That was something Leeds United were stung by just over a year ago with Archie Gray joining Spurs for £40 million. Premier League football can help retain their stars, but they will see other depart without it.

Other notable sales while Leeds were exiled from the top flight include the likes of James Milner, Fabian Delph, Jonny Howson, and Aaron Lennon. Relegation, therefore, could be disastrous for them.

Howson has returned to play alongside Harry Gray for the Leeds U-21 team, and he is their ‘prize jewel’ in that academy side. However, interest in the 16-year-old striker has been present for some time now.

Spurs will be monitoring Harry Gray more closely after latest Leeds developments

Just as one example, Max McFadden has joined Spurs from Leeds. However, Leeds will be terrified that Harry could join Archie at Tottenham, following transfer links emerging last season.

Leeds will, of course, want to retain him for longer than his brother. Gray recently signed a new scholarship at Leeds this summer, but he is not yet turned 17.

Gray remains happy at Leeds despite Spurs links. But game time, or a lack thereof, can change that quickly. Gray is featuring regularly for the U-21s, having made just one professional appearance for Leeds.

The problem with being the star of the team is that attention and limelight are always on top of you. Gray has had a remarkable start to the 2025/26 campaign at Premier League 2 level.

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With four goals and two assists in three league games and one EFL Trophy clash with Port Vale for the U-21 team already, it’s fair to say Gray is absolutely flying.

That is six of his team’s eight goals in all competitions. Soon, Gray will be asking Daniel Farke where his more regular first-team chances are. The young Leeds striker came off the bench against Stoke City in a 6-0 demolition under Eddie Gray’s watchful eye.

Eddie is his great uncle, while Frank Gray was his grandfather. It’s in his blood, which Spurs will be fully aware of following the development of Archie over the last 15 months now.

Having been nominated for Premier League 2’s Player of the Month, Gray could not have started much better in a Leeds shirt at academy level this season. Spurs’ Reiss-Alexander Russell-Denny has also been nominated for the award.

They continue to lurk around the situation regarding Gray, and will be keeping a watchful eye over his development beyond this point. Gray is one of the most promising young English strikers currently.

It makes retaining him less than simple long-term, especially given his recent trajectory. Relegation or a lack of a pathway into the first-team could be costly for the West Yorkshire outfit.

Either way, Spurs will be monitoring Gray more closely after the latest Leeds developments.

Patrick Bamford compares Archie Gray and Harry Gray

With the Leeds youngster described as special, it’s fair to say he is being tipped for incredibly big things this season and beyond. Gray paid tribute to Patrick Bamford recently following his exit.

The ex-Leeds hero mentored the young striker, and Bamford is confident Gray has a bright future at Leeds. He said: “Harry and Archie look very, very similar; personalities couldn’t be any different.

“When Archie came up, quiet but just got about it. Harry is chirpy. He is proper chirpy — but in a good way. He’s got no problem with having one of the first-team players off. At 16! I swear.

“He, I think, in his head, knows he’s good. I remember when Archie was still at Leeds, I went to watch for the 18s or 21s and Harry was playing.

“I literally — and he knows now because I’ve told him — but I literally went to watch just to see him. He’s good and he’s going to be decent.

“I thought, when he comes up, I’ll try to help him a little bit. It’s weird to say but he like looks up to me a little bit, so I can kind of get away with it with him a bit.

“He could be top. He’s tall, quite slim, quick, very aggressive. For how tall he is, his dribbling is a joke. He can put defenders on their arse.

“In training, he does it a lot. He did it to Joe Rodon. He was through and he chopped the life out of him. Joe hates looking like that. So, all the lads jumped on it winding him up.

“Honestly, times have changed with young players. But I quite like it, because I find him funny.”