BBC Sport pundit predicts a draw between Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United at Elland Road on Saturday
Tottenham Hotspur have started the season well in both the Premier League and Champions League. Though Thomas Frank will be disappointed not to beat Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League earlier this week, he was proud of his team’s character and fighting spirit for bouncing back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2.
Spurs looked leggy and devoid of ideas for long spells, but the second-half comeback ensured they left with something to show for their efforts. Thomas Frank has been backed to learn from his mistakes at the club and improve.
The Lilywhites’ draw with Bodo/Glimt means that they have drawn three of their last four games, with their only win coming against Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup third round. They were lucky to escape with a point against Wolverhampton Wanderers at home last weekend, thanks to a last-gasp strike from Joao Palhinha.
BBC Sport pundit fires warning to Tottenham ahead of Leeds United fixture
Tottenham travel to Elland Road to face Leeds United in an early lunch-time kick-off on Saturday. Back-to-back draws against Brighton and Wolves in the Premier League have hurt Thomas Frank’s side, so the pressure is on the north London club to get back to winning ways at Leeds United.
Leeds United have done well since achieving promotion, winning, losing and drawing two each thus far. They sit 12th in the table with eight points ahead of clubs like Manchester United, Newcastle United and Aston Villa. For opposition teams, playing at Elland Road has always been difficult and this season is no different.
BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has now warned Tottenham ahead of their trip to Leeds. He thinks Frank’s side will struggle to cope with the intensity and pace of the Whites, thus, predicting a draw as an outcome in West Yorkshire.
“Tottenham have had a difficult week, having to fight back to rescue draws against Wolves and Bodo/Glimt, and this is going to be another tricky game for them,” Chris Sutton wrote on his BBC Sport blog.
“I can actually see it ending in another draw for Spurs. At least they played in the Arctic Circle on Tuesday night rather than Wednesday, but a lunchtime kick-off on Saturday is still far from ideal, and this Champions League campaign is going to stretch their squad.”
Tottenham must head into international break with a victory
The onus will be on Tottenham to take the game to Leeds and attack from minute one. We cannot afford to sit back and allow Daniel Farke’s side control the game, and once again fall behind. Buoyed by the home support, Leeds will be up for the fight and trying causing problems with their pacey attackers on the break.
After Champions League exertions, Frank is expected to ring changes to his starting XI. Mohammed Kudus will certainly take his place on the right, while Xavi Simons must be hoping to regain his place on the opposite flank. Tottenham’s defence could also see some alterations.