Paul Merson and Harry Redknapp have reached completely different conclusions ahead of Leeds United’s clash at Tottenham, and the split says plenty about how Daniel Farke’s side is being viewed.
Leeds United could already be mathematically safe by the time Tottenham arrive at Elland Road on Monday night if Arsenal beat West Ham earlier in the weekend.
That would completely change the atmosphere around the game and could hand Daniel Farke’s side the freedom to attack a Tottenham team still battling to secure survival.
Who starts if Leeds are without Struijk, Gudmundsson and Okafor?
Struijk is a doubt, but Gudmundsson and Okafor are out.
Leeds will also remember the earlier meeting between the sides this season, when Spurs escaped with a 2-1 victory despite both decisive goals taking heavy deflections.
That result felt harsh on Leeds at the time and it helps explain why there is now genuine disagreement over how Monday’s game will unfold. Leeds go into the game unbeaten in six Premier League matches.
Merson is clearly backing Leeds over Tottenham
Writing in his latest Sports Keeda column earlier this week, Paul Merson has predicted Leeds to beat Tottenham 2-1 and admitted: “This is a hard game to call.”
Merson also said Tottenham “cannot let the relegation battle go down to the final day of the season”, before adding: “I just can’t back them against Leeds though, I think they lose this one.”
That is a significant show of respect towards Leeds given Tottenham’s desperation for points and the pressure surrounding the bottom of the table.
Merson’s prediction also reflects the reality that Leeds have become increasingly difficult to dismiss under Farke, especially at Elland Road.
Redknapp sees Tottenham’s urgency making the difference
On Bet Victor, Harry Redknapp has gone the opposite way and predicted a 2-0 Tottenham win on Monday night.
Redknapp said: “All of a sudden, a win here and Spurs will be in a really good position in terms of safety.” He also praised Roberto De Zerbi for injecting a bit of belief into Tottenham’s players.
He says ” Spurs fans will be buoyant and that could be the difference.” Redknapp added that Leeds are all but safe now, which could reduce the edge in Farke’s side compared to Tottenham’s survival urgency.
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Leeds injuries could strengthen Redknapp’s argument
Leeds do head into the game carrying injury concerns that could support Redknapp’s prediction. Farke could be without Gudmundsson, Okafor and Gruev, while Struijk remains a doubt ahead of Monday night.
Riemer also confirmed the situation has not improved significantly, explaining the injured players are not training with the squad. Struijk remains a possibility, but Gruev, Okafor and Gudmundsson are missing.
Those absences could become especially important against a Tottenham side that knows a positive result would move them much closer to safety.
Even so, the fact Merson is willing to back Leeds despite Tottenham’s situation says plenty about how unpredictable this game has become.
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