Leeds weigh up Calvert-Lewin call before Spurs
Leeds will need to test Jan Paul van Hecke and avoid Dominic Calvert-Lewin being blanketed, with Spurs’ in-form defender central to their recent clean sheets.
Leeds host Spurs with poor recent head-to-head form, having won only one of the last 13 league meetings and none of the last six, despite a 1-1 draw in May.
Leeds’ move for Porto defender Zaidu Sanusi has been complicated after the 29-year-old opened contract talks, raising pressure on the Whites to act in January.
Stefan Borson says Leeds are unlikely to rethink Daniel Farke’s new deal despite a winless run since September, insisting the 49ers have no plans to ‘turn around’.
Kevin Phillips has urged Southampton to sign Leeds striker Lukas Nmecha in January, but with his deal running down, Leeds may prefer to keep their backup forward for now.
Saturday’s game adds intrigue in goal, with Spurs’ Antonin Kinsky facing Leeds’ James Trafford, whose strong Premier League numbers have intensified comparisons.
Daniel Farke said Spurs have spent an ‘unbelievable’ amount after finishing low, while Leeds must ‘earn it’ and cannot ‘spend crazy money’ before the Elland Road clash.
Leeds may target space around Pedro Porro, though Spurs see his crossing as a key weapon and Dan James as the main threat he must handle defensively.
Chris Sutton predicted a draw for Leeds v Spurs, saying the visitors are ‘flying’ but backing the Whites to make it tight at Elland Road despite their poor run.
Leeds face uncertainty over how Spurs use Omar Marmoush, with Roberto De Zerbi still searching for his best role before a tougher test against Leeds’ defence.
Leeds’ task may get harder with Spurs set for a quadruple boost, including Savio’s possible early return and Rodrigo Bentancur back from suspension before Elland Road.
Spurs are expected to make only minor changes for Leeds, with Pedro Porro and James Maddison pushing to start, while Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert and Mykhaylo Mudryk remain unavailable.
Daniel Farke rejected claims Leeds lack attacking freedom, saying players have ‘lots of freedom within processes’, but admitted key absences have hindered work in the final third.
Farke said Leeds are ‘struggling in offence’ before Spurs, with Noah Okafor and Anton Stach missing training and Dominic Calvert-Lewin a doubt. Joe Rodon is back in full training.
Leeds’ compact defence is framed as a test for Spurs youngster Luca Williams-Barnett, who is tipped to make an impact off the bench if the game opens up late.
Thomas Tuchel named England’s squad for Croatia and Spain, handing first senior call-ups to Jobe Bellingham and Josh King, while Cole Palmer was left out.
Ian Wright praised Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s ‘fantastic’ display against Arsenal, with Roy Keane citing his first touch, as Leeds seek to give their key striker better service.
From a Leeds angle, Harry Wilson, Dan James and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are identified as the counter-attacking threat Spurs fear most, with Micky van de Ven key to stopping them.
Mick Brown questioned Daniel Farke’s handling of Jean-Matteo Bahoya, suggesting a disconnect with Leeds’ board over the winger’s lack of minutes and transfer planning.
Leeds have again been linked with Harvey Elliott, but after a poor Valencia loan spell and a red card that was branded ‘childish’ in the Spanish media, the view is they should avoid a January move.
Joel Piroe has a fresh chance under new West Ham boss Scott Parker, while Wilfried Gnonto’s difficult Fiorentina loan continues with just one start in Serie A.
Leeds are in talks to extend Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s deal to 2030 amid Manchester United interest, with Farke keen to keep a striker who has scored 4 league goals already.
Ethan Ampadu is one booking from a ban that would rule him out at Chelsea, while Cole Palmer is not at risk because two yellows in one game do not count towards the threshold.
Leeds are expected to stick with Harry Wilson and Dan James against Spurs if Dominic Calvert-Lewin is fit, while Noah Okafor and Anton Stach remain major doubts ahead of Saturday.
