Premier League: Pride and Passion to Play Part on Pennines

Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Meetings between Leeds United and Tottenham have produced stories aplenty over the years.

Indeed, long before the advent of the Premier League, these were known as clashes which had a real intensity with a genuine passion. And it’s hardly surprising given the likes of Billy Bremner and Dave Mackay that were among the stars of yesteryear.

If you don’t have a clue what I am talking about, just take a look at this photo!

We may be missing supporters again at Elland Road on Saturday lunchtime but there will still be an intensity as Leeds seek to avenge a New Year reverse to the North Londoners,

Meanwhile, the Spurs have their own incentive – which is to try and secure a Champions League berth against the odds next season – a factor which could well determine the future of skipper Harry Kane at the club.

 

Talking Points

After beating champions-elect Manchester City and holding Liverpool and Manchester United in their recent Premier League 2021 results, there was a certain irony that Leeds slipped up on the seaside at Brighton last weekend.

On the other hand, perhaps it should have not come as a surprise given their season has been ups followed by downs and downs followed by ups.

An FA Cup embarrassment at Crawley aside though, it’s fair to say their 2020/21 campaign has largely been a job well done.

 

Regardless of what happens in the closing weeks, Marcelo Bielsa has achieved much in securing stability for the Yorkshire club in its first season back in the top-flight for 16 years.

Now the experienced old head welcomes a rookie caretaker boss still in his 20s to Elland Road and, if there were odds offered on such facts, what’s the betting this will be the only ever managerial meeting between Bielsa and 29-year-old Ryan Mason?

Certainly, current optimism appears higher on the Pennines than it is in North London where a promising first half of the season has tailed off somewhat in recent weeks with a distinct feeling of deja vu.

After their League Cup Final defeat. Tottenham bounced back to comprehensively see off bottom club Sheffield United last weekend as Gareth Bale led the way with a fine hat-trick.

They will need another three points too if they are to keep their faint aspirations for a top four spot alive.

This was massive one-way traffic when the sides met in New Year, a game I enjoyed and seemed to show why Tottenham and Jose Mourinho seemed to be getting it right.

Whether that was the case we will never know after club owner Daniel Levy seemed to again press the self-destruct button.

If their hopes are ended on Saturday though, expect more anger to be directed at Levy, who may be relieved supporters are not yet back inside stadiums.

So passion and pressure should be in abundance on Saturday. Dare I say, it could be just like old times!

 

History

Traditionally, these clubs have been well-matched and have enjoyed some ding-dong battles.

Their most recent clash before January’s encounter was in the FA Cup in 2013 when Luke Varney and Ross McCormack goals caused a fourth round surprise in a 2-1 win at Elland Road.

They had given the Spurs a scare in the same competition at the same stage three years earlier when Jermaine Beckford netted twice – including a stoppage time penalty – to earn the then League One side a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane before Spurs won the replay 3-1 at Elland Road thanks to a Jermain Defoe hat-trick.

The last time they met in the top flight in Yorkshire was in January 2004 when Robbie Keane scored the only goal against his former club in a 1-0 Spurs triumph.

That 2013 cup win remains Leeds’ only victory against Spurs in nine attempts.

The last time they beat them in the Premier League was in November 2001 when Ian Harte and Harry Kewell grabbed the goals in a 2-1 win.

Overall, Tottenham have beaten Leeds on 37 occasions, while Leeds have 32 wins and there have been 20 draws.

The very first meeting between the clubs was in October 1924 when Leeds recorded a 1-0 win.

 

Betting Tip

	Leeds United vs Tottenham Hotspur	1X2 Draw @ 3.50
	May 8, 19:30 (GMT+8)

Spurs have the edge with the SBOTOP Premier League 2021 betting odds.

The Champions-League chasers can be backed 1X2 @ 2.16 or Asian Handicap -0.50 at the same price.

Leeds are further adrift, 1X2 @ 3.15 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.40.

As for goals, Over 3.00 will pay out @ 2.13, Total Goal 2-3 @ 1.99 and Total Goal 4-6 @ 2.91.

In the unlikely event Spurs record another 3-0 success over the Yorkshire club, the correct score odds are on offer @ 23.00.

A 1X2 Draw @ 3.50 would seem to have some merit and so that is what I am opting for.

A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR () BETS ARE WORTH:
= €20 (Highly confident)	= €10 (CONFIDENT)	= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

 

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