Tottenham v Leeds predictions: free betting tips and where to watch

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 12.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Tottenham
2pts 4-5 general

Team news

Tottenham
Gareth Bale (calf) and Giovani Lo Celso (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Leeds
Adam Forshaw (hip), Robin Koch, Gaetano Berardi (knee), Liam Cooper (abdominal strain), Diego Llorente (muscle strain) are expected to miss out and Mateusz Klich (thigh) is a doubt.

Match preview

Jose Mourinho has won all four of his previous matches against Marcelo Bielsa and the Tottenham manager can once again get the better of the Leeds boss.

Mourinho was labelled a master tactician after his cautious, counter-attacking approach laid the foundation for 2-0 home victories over Manchester City and Arsenal but Spurs have struggled in recent weeks and were fortunate to draw 1-1 at Wolves last Sunday.

Mourinho pointed the finger at his players, suggesting they lacked the ambition to push for the second goal, but a lack of creativity was the main issue as Spurs struggled to open up a Wolves side who kept their defensive shape despite conceding a first-minute goal.

Harry Kane and Heung-Min Son were kept quiet but their combination play could be a lot more effective against Leeds, who reached the end of 2020 with the second-worst defensive record in the division (30 goals conceded) .

Bielsa's side play with lots of energy and a high press which often allows them to win the ball in dangerous areas and gives them plenty of opportunities to create and score goals.

When it works it can be spectacular and there was a perfect example on Tuesday with the Yorkshire side romping to a 5-0 victory at West Brom.

However, there have been plenty of instances of opposing teams exploiting the gaps left in behind including their previous away game when Leeds lost 6-2 at Manchester United.

Bielsa's charges have conceded three goals or more in six of 16 league games and the potential for another heavy defeat is there against a Spurs team featuring two of the most dangerous forwards in the country.

Spurs will be tested at the back but Mourinho's selection process has been made easier by the postponement of Wednesday's scheduled fixture at home to Fulham.

A first-choice side should include Tottenham's most reliable central defensive axis of Eric Dier and Toby Alderweireld.

In the nine games they have started together this season, Spurs have conceded seven goals at an average of 0.78 per game. In the other six, Tottenham have conceded eight at a 1.33 per game average.

Mourinho's players should be mentally and physically recovered from their exertions at Wolves but a few of the Leeds contingent may feel the strain when they contest a third game in seven days.

Bielsa's squad isn't the biggest and they looks stretched at the back with Liam Cooper, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Gaetano Berardi expected to miss the game.

A makeshift back four featuring right-back Luke Ayling and utility man Pascal Struijk in the central positions was rarely tested by West Brom, who mustered just one shot on target.

However, it could be a different story against Spurs, who look decent value to record their eighth league win of the campaign.

Key stat

Tottenham have won six of their last seven home fixtures.

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