Leeds may already know their Premier League fate before kick-off against Tottenham, but Daniel Farke’s injury problems are still likely to shape a cautious and pragmatic lineup.
Leeds could be mathematically safe before Monday night if Arsenal beat West Ham on Sunday, but anything less from the Gunners would leave Farke’s side needing to finish the job themselves at Spurs.
Even if survival is already secured by kick-off, the circumstances still point toward a controlled Leeds performance rather than an expansive one against a Spurs side capable of punishing defensive mistakes.
Who starts if Leeds are without Struijk, Gudmundsson and Okafor?
Struijk is a doubt, but Gudmundsson and Okafor are out.
Edward Riemer’s injury update confirms Leeds concerns
Earlier this week, assistant manager Edward Riemer took charge of the press conference with manager Daniel Farke unwell but expected to be fit for the touchline on Monday, as Leeds travel south to London.
Riemer confirmed Leeds could be without four players: “Gabi [Gudmundsson[ will be out for this week and then we need to assess him on a daily basis so hopefully he can be with us as soon as possible.
“Then we have got another one with Noah [Okafor] who picked up a calf strain so he will miss the next two games. We are hopeful that he will be available back for the last game.
“He sustained an injury after the FA Cup game in the calf. It was the right calf where he got a contusion. And, in the Burnley game, the left calf. We are hopeful that he will be back for the last game.”
Finally, there was an update on the team’s defensive options, with Riemer explaining: “Pascal [Struijk] is not going to train today with us. He has a hip contusion, so got a hit. He will train individually.”
Those comments explain why Leeds are unlikely to gamble with selection or structure against Tottenham.
The injuries affect key areas of balance across the pitch, particularly on the left side and in attacking rotation, which increases the likelihood of a disciplined and compact game plan.
Injuries are forcing Leeds toward a more defensive setup
The biggest issue for Farke is not Ilia Gruev’s absence because the midfielder has rarely started this season, but the growing number of concerns elsewhere in the squad.
Sebastiaan Bornauw could now be handed a rare start if Pascal Struijk is unavailable, while James Justin looks almost certain to come in at left wing-back after Gabi Gudmundsson was ruled out.
Noah Okafor’s absence also removes pace and unpredictability from the attack, which is why Brenden Aaronson appears the safest option to support Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a narrower front two.
That setup would allow Leeds to stay compact in a 3-4-1-2 system rather than opening the game up with wide attackers such as Wilfried Gnonto or Daniel James from the start.
Predicted Leeds XI vs Spurs:
Darlow; Rodon, Bijol, Bornauw; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Justin; Stach; Aaronson, DCL.
Archie Gray’s Spurs role adds another subplot
The occasion will also carry extra significance because Archie Gray came through Leeds’ academy before joining Tottenham last summer.
Name Leeds United’s three most-important players 1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣
Gray was an unused substitute in the reverse fixture at Elland Road, but Monday night could present a much bigger role against his former club.
That subplot only adds to the pressure surrounding a game Leeds are expected to approach with caution rather than aggression.
Leeds may ultimately arrive in north London already safe, but the growing injury list still leaves Farke with little reason to move away from a compact and defensively-minded setup.
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