Elland Road on edge: Leeds host Spurs with Romero boost and selection dilemmas

Elland Road will be bouncing on Saturday as Leeds United welcome Tottenham, both sides desperate to snap out of a stuttering spell. Leeds let a late one slip in a 2-2 with Bournemouth, while Spurs have been grinding out draws — a 1-1 against Wolves and a gutsy European comeback from two down to level it 2-2 in midweek. Something has to give.

Leeds team news: James blow, Gnonto hope, Perri patience

Daniel Farke has a headache out wide: Daniel James rolled an ankle in training and is facing roughly four to six weeks out. The silver lining? Early fears of something worse have been binned. Wilfried Gnonto could be back in the mix after a calf issue, but goalkeeper Lucas Perri — back in team training — is expected to be held back until after the international break.

Farke’s update set the tone: James sidelined until after the November internationals if timelines hold, Perri edging closer but not to be rushed. Expect continuity elsewhere after some tidy displays of late.

Tottenham team news: Romero ready, forwards thin, midfield shuffle

Here’s the headline: Cristian Romero is fit, available, and will start after a midweek knock. That’s an enormous boost for Spurs’ back line. The front end is lighter: Dominic Solanke is out until after the break following a minor ankle procedure, and Randal Kolo Muani has been on the grass the last couple of days but isn’t ready to be involved just yet. Yves Bissouma remains unavailable and is still not with the main group.

There’s a longer queue in the treatment room too — Radu Dragusin, James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski are long-term knee cases, while Kota Takai is moving well again after a foot problem. Plenty for the visitors to juggle, but Romero’s return changes the mood.

Predicted XIs: subtle tweaks rather than revolutions

Leeds are unlikely to reinvent the wheel. The expectation is that the core remains intact, with Sean Longstaff and Brenden Aaronson keeping their places on form. With James out, Farke may lean on balance and graft from the flanks, while the experienced duo Jack Harrison and Sebastian Bornauw are poised to offer options from the bench if the game needs shoring up late on.

Spurs, meanwhile, should freshen things after consecutive draws. Mohammed Kudus is tipped to start to add thrust in the final third, with Joao Palhinha stiffening the midfield. Djed Spence likely gives way after a ropey run, and the high-profile pair Xavi Simons and Archie Gray may also be among the substitutes. The big tick is Romero’s name back on the teamsheet.

Tactical take: control vs chaos

Leeds at Elland Road are at their best when they turn the dial to full noise — pressing high, forcing turnovers, and feeding off the crowd. Without James’ breakneck pace, they’ll need cleaner combination play on the right and a set-piece threat to keep Spurs honest. Aaronson drifting between the lines could be the key to dragging Romero and company into awkward areas.

For Spurs, Palhinha screening in front of Romero should steady the middle, allowing the full-backs to step on. Kudus offers the carry-and-strike threat they’ve missed in recent weeks, but with Solanke out, ruthlessness in front of goal is the question. If they manage transitions better than they did domestically, the visitors will fancy nicking control for longer spells.

Key battles

– Leeds’ right flank vs Spurs’ left-back channel: without James, can Leeds still stretch the pitch and isolate 1v1s?

– Aaronson vs Spurs’ No 6: if Palhinha starts, that duel decides who dictates tempo.

– Set pieces: Romero’s aerial presence at both ends could swing momentum.

Prediction and punt

With Romero back and Spurs likely to tighten the middle, this feels like a proper arm-wrestle. Leeds’ energy will create moments, but the visitors’ added steel tips it towards a tense share of the spoils. Predicted score: 1-1.

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