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This preview was written by Brian Judson

Full Record of Spurs -v- Leeds United

Prem           Pl   W   D   L   For-Ag  Pts
Home            8   3   3   2    13-9   12
Away            8   1   2   5     4-13   5
===========================================
Total (Prem)   16   4   5   7    17-22  17
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Football Lge
Home (Div 1)   28  14   8   6    47-34  37
Away (Div 1)   28   6  10  12    32-42  23
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Total (Div 1)  56  20  18  18    79-76  60
===========================================
Football Lge
Home (Div 2)    4   3   1   0    10-4    7
Away (Div 2)    4   1   1   2     3-5    3
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Total (Div 2)   8   4   2   2    13-9   10
===========================================
Total (Prem)   16   4   5   7    17-22  17
Total (Div 1)  56  20  18  18    79-76  60
Total (Div 2)   8   4   2   2    13-9   10
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Grand Total    80  28  25  27   109-107 87
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This is arguably the toughest test we have experienced this season. Leeds were prominent in the race for the championship last season. It was largely their inexperience and their inability to cope with the pressure that ultimately counted against them. I had been wondering why they have not matched their achievements of last season but with a horrendous injury list, I suppose we should not be surprised.

Elland Road is not one of our happy hunting grounds. Indeed in 44 visits to Elland Road, we have only won on 11 occasions. One of those occasions was in January 1971 when two goals by Martin Chivers in a 2-1 victory unhappily played their part in allowing Arsenal to secure their first League and Cup double.

Last season, Spurs lost 2-1 against Leeds at Tottenham on the last Saturday in August.

Sherwood put Tottenham ahead in the 36th minute. Freund took a long throw on the right; Iversen headed down, and Tim Sherwood volleyed home to become Spurs top scorer with his third goal of the season.

Leeds scored somewhat against the run of play through Smith, in the 52nd minute. Kewell got a cross over that went to the right side of the area and the ball reached Smith who beat Walker with a right foot drive across the goal.

After 81 minutes, Bowyer went down, perhaps too easily, when challenged by Perry on the edge of the box. Referee Mike Reed awarded a free kick. Leeds took it quickly, and Walker retrieved easily. Reed decided he was not ready, and demanded a re-take. There is some suggestion that Iversen was pulled out of the wall, but one way or another, a gap was left for Harte to hit a rocket shot into the middle of the goal.

Spurs lost the return game against Leeds in February.

Leeds took the lead in the 23rd minute. A Walker kick was headed straight back over the Spurs defence. The retreating Smith was not considered to be interfering with play, and Kewell was allowed to advance around Walker who came out of his area to try and clear, leaving Kewell with only Campbell to beat. Kewell scored with ease.

Considering some of the results that Leeds have achieved in the Champions League, it would seem to be a pointless journey for Spurs to travel north. However, Leeds have been indifferent in the League this season and have lost Michael Duberry for the rest of the season. Radebe does not seem to be the force he once was as he seems to succumb to injury much more frequently these days. Whilst Leeds have expressed interest in Rio Ferdinand, I have wondered sometimes why they have not considered Sol Campbell as a target. Campbell might benefit from working with O'Leary.

As for tomorrow's match, it is a foregone conclusion we will probably lose. I can't remember the last time we won up there unless it was on May 2nd 1996 when we won 3-1. The goals for that match were scored as follows:

Leeds found themselves in front on 13 minutes when David Wetherall rose to meet Gary Kelly's deep cross and loop a header over Ian Walker.

Anderton promptly flashed a shot wide and then Teddy Sheringham forced a good save from John Lukic so it was no surprise when Spurs equalised on 18 minutes. Sheringham headed Ruel Fox's left-wing corner back into the goalmouth and Chris Armstrong volleyed his 22nd goal of the season from close range.

Six minutes later, Spurs went ahead when Sheringham's deep ball sent Anderton through and, on only his second start since returning to the side, he showed great poise and confidence in beating Lukic.

Anderton ensured Tottenham's first double over Leeds since 1980 when, on 66 minutes, he again linked with Sheringham and collected a return pass before beating Lukic from six yards with his shot going in off the goalkeeper's near post.

It would be nice to see a repeat of that performance but I think we will be doing well if we snatch a draw. But that's my head ruling my heart, which tells me to expect another defeat and a slide to midtable obscurity.

Cheers, Brian

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