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Monday 11th May, 8:00pm | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
As Leeds head down to North London, we can all put the calculators away and stop looking at permutations of the remaining fixtures, because we're safe. As Leeds fans it's hard not to stress, to think about the worst outcome, but it's a narrative that Daniel Farke has tried to change this season. He's tried to calm the waters, to instil a belief back into the fans. On this occasion, Arsenal have done the job for us. Victory for the Gunners at the London Stadium means both Leeds and Forest, level on 43 points, are mathematically safe with three games to play. Rather than heading into tonight's game nervous, looking down, Leeds can go to Spurs stress-free, looking up the table. Aside from West Ham losing, all the teams around Leeds drew on Sunday, meaning a win tonight could move the Whites up as far as thirteenth.
The relegation battle remains very much alive beneath us though, and it's one we still have a significant say in, having to play both teams in our final three games. First up is Tottenham who sit seventeenth on 37 points, just one above West Ham in the final drop spot on 36. After tonight, Leeds then travel to Brighton before heading to the London Stadium for the final game of the season, a game which now has no bearing on Leeds United's survival, but could very much for West Ham depending on how results go between now and then. Leeds find themselves in a fascinating position, mathematically safe, yet potentially the kingmakers of the entire relegation scrap, with both clubs knowing that a result against Farke's side could be the difference between top flight football next season and the Championship.
If there's one thing Farke has built this season, it's a team that doesn't panic, and the evidence is in the numbers. Leeds are unbeaten in their last six league games, a run that includes victories over Manchester United and Wolves, and draws at Bournemouth and Brentford. Farke himself is under the weather and missed the pre-match press conference, with assistant manager Edmund Riemer stepping in. He was understandably bullish: "In the form table we are the second-best team at the moment. This is the best form we have been in throughout the season, and we want to finish the season on a high." The desire to maintain momentum, to finish as high as possible, and to carry this form into what promises to be a significant summer at Elland Road, that's the motivation now.
Tottenham's season has been nothing short of a soap opera. Three managers, a winless run stretching back to December, and a fanbase that has spent most of the campaign in despair. Thomas Frank lasted until February before being dismissed, Igor Tudor briefly took the reins as a self-described firefighter before also being shown the door and then came Roberto De Zerbi. The former Brighton boss arrived in March and has set about reshaping Spurs in his image. After an opening defeat at Sunderland, he drew with Brighton before back-to-back wins over Wolves and Aston Villa, with Conor Gallagher and Richarlison both finding the net in the Midlands. Riemer acknowledged the transformation at his press conference, warning that De Zerbi's side are now a very different proposition to the rudderless outfit of a few months ago. This is emphatically not a dead rubber for Spurs, it's a survival mission.
On the team news front, Leeds will be without Noah Okafor through a calf strain and Gabriel Gudmundsson, who has come too soon on his return from a hamstring injury. There is a doubt over Pascal Struijk, who picked up a hip contusion and trained individually on Friday, though Riemer expressed hope he would be available. Farke himself is expected to take his place in the dugout despite his illness; "he didn't sound too good, but I'm pretty sure he will be alright," said Riemer. For Spurs, De Zerbi will be hoping that the momentum of back-to-back wins carries his players through what is, for them, a must-not-lose occasion.
For the first time in what feels like an age, Leeds head into a match with nothing to fear and everything to play for and that freedom could be the most dangerous thing of all. Spurs will be desperate, De Zerbi will have them fired up, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is never a comfortable away day, but Leeds have shown all season that they don't wilt under pressure. A point keeps the unbeaten run going. A good win could lift us to thirteenth and sends a statement into the final two games of the season.
Credit: motforum.com
MOT.
As Leeds head down to North London, we can all put the calculators away and stop looking at permutations of the remaining fixtures, because we're safe. As Leeds fans it's hard not to stress, to think about the worst outcome, but it's a narrative that Daniel Farke has tried to change this season. He's tried to calm the waters, to instil a belief back into the fans. On this occasion, Arsenal have done the job for us. Victory for the Gunners at the London Stadium means both Leeds and Forest, level on 43 points, are mathematically safe with three games to play. Rather than heading into tonight's game nervous, looking down, Leeds can go to Spurs stress-free, looking up the table. Aside from West Ham losing, all the teams around Leeds drew on Sunday, meaning a win tonight could move the Whites up as far as thirteenth.
The relegation battle remains very much alive beneath us though, and it's one we still have a significant say in, having to play both teams in our final three games. First up is Tottenham who sit seventeenth on 37 points, just one above West Ham in the final drop spot on 36. After tonight, Leeds then travel to Brighton before heading to the London Stadium for the final game of the season, a game which now has no bearing on Leeds United's survival, but could very much for West Ham depending on how results go between now and then. Leeds find themselves in a fascinating position, mathematically safe, yet potentially the kingmakers of the entire relegation scrap, with both clubs knowing that a result against Farke's side could be the difference between top flight football next season and the Championship.
If there's one thing Farke has built this season, it's a team that doesn't panic, and the evidence is in the numbers. Leeds are unbeaten in their last six league games, a run that includes victories over Manchester United and Wolves, and draws at Bournemouth and Brentford. Farke himself is under the weather and missed the pre-match press conference, with assistant manager Edmund Riemer stepping in. He was understandably bullish: "In the form table we are the second-best team at the moment. This is the best form we have been in throughout the season, and we want to finish the season on a high." The desire to maintain momentum, to finish as high as possible, and to carry this form into what promises to be a significant summer at Elland Road, that's the motivation now.
Tottenham's season has been nothing short of a soap opera. Three managers, a winless run stretching back to December, and a fanbase that has spent most of the campaign in despair. Thomas Frank lasted until February before being dismissed, Igor Tudor briefly took the reins as a self-described firefighter before also being shown the door and then came Roberto De Zerbi. The former Brighton boss arrived in March and has set about reshaping Spurs in his image. After an opening defeat at Sunderland, he drew with Brighton before back-to-back wins over Wolves and Aston Villa, with Conor Gallagher and Richarlison both finding the net in the Midlands. Riemer acknowledged the transformation at his press conference, warning that De Zerbi's side are now a very different proposition to the rudderless outfit of a few months ago. This is emphatically not a dead rubber for Spurs, it's a survival mission.
On the team news front, Leeds will be without Noah Okafor through a calf strain and Gabriel Gudmundsson, who has come too soon on his return from a hamstring injury. There is a doubt over Pascal Struijk, who picked up a hip contusion and trained individually on Friday, though Riemer expressed hope he would be available. Farke himself is expected to take his place in the dugout despite his illness; "he didn't sound too good, but I'm pretty sure he will be alright," said Riemer. For Spurs, De Zerbi will be hoping that the momentum of back-to-back wins carries his players through what is, for them, a must-not-lose occasion.
For the first time in what feels like an age, Leeds head into a match with nothing to fear and everything to play for and that freedom could be the most dangerous thing of all. Spurs will be desperate, De Zerbi will have them fired up, and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is never a comfortable away day, but Leeds have shown all season that they don't wilt under pressure. A point keeps the unbeaten run going. A good win could lift us to thirteenth and sends a statement into the final two games of the season.
Credit: motforum.com
MOT.
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