Here is Brian Judson's preview of the game
Full Record of Spurs -v- Leeds United
Premier Pl W D L For- Ag Pts
Home 11 5 3 3 18 - 12 18
Away 11 1 3 7 10 - 21 6
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Total (Premier) 22 6 6 10 28 - 33 24
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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
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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
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Total (Premier) 22 6 6 10 28 - 33 24
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 86 30 26 30 120 -118 94
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The dramatic sacking of manager David O'Leary and his backroom staff
followed by the bizarre appointment of former Spurs player and manager,
Terry Venables, saw Leeds plunge from championship aspirants to hot
favourites for the drop to the Football League in a matter of weeks.
Venables was brought in with firm instructions to shed the high wage
earners as a priority. Initially welcomed by the Elland Road fans, both
Venables and chairman Ridsdale were soon cast as candidates for departure.
Indeed both left before the end of the season with former Sunderland
manager, Peter Reid being brought in to steady the ship. Leeds eventually
survived if only because the clubs below them spurned their own chances of
survival, particularly West Ham United, who were confidently expected by
most experts to survive.
Leeds only aspirations this season are survival. Anything else will be a
bonus. Viduka is still there but for how much longer remains to be seen.
But Alan Smith has gone on record as saying he only wants to play for
Leeds and has no intention of seeking employment elsewhere.
It is a far cry from the heady days of four seasons ago when they were
tipped to break the Manchester United domination of the Premiership. David
O'Leary had built a very entertaining side but it seems to have been a
side built by a shaky set of economic loans that finally caught Leeds out.
Tottenham, meanwhile, have various injury doubts of one kind or another.
With players struggling to regain fitness and two strikers doubtful to
play, it remains to be seen what side Hoddle selects and which tactics he
will use. Dean Richards is on the way back but has missed all of the
pre-season build-up. He will probably not be quite ready for this match,
although he came through a reserve team game without any problems, earlier
this week.
What I would like to see is Ricketts getting an extended run-out. I would
much rather see Ricketts playing than Acimovic, who clearly has still to
attune himself to Premiership football. He may be an international but I
think Ricketts looks the better prospect.
In the corresponding game last season, Tottenham beat Leeds 2-0.
Sheringham grabbed a 12th minute goal and Keane scored an exquisite goal
just before half-time. The same duo scored at Elland Toad near the end of
the season. Spurs looked like winning a rare match at Elland Road as
Sheringham and Keane struck twice in a minute before the break. Viduka had
earlier put them ahead and later snatched a penalty with fourteen minutes
left.
I suspect that Saturday's game will see the points divided. I cannot
imagine Leeds will be good enough to nick all three points but with both
defences still porous, I think there will be one goal at least apiece.
COME ON YOU SPURS!
Cheers, Brian
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