Leeds are all but officially safe from relegation this season with 43 points as they sit in 14th position in the Premier League. Tottenham, on the other hand, sit in 17th position — one place above the drop zone — on 37 points. Spurs could take another massive step in their relegation battle on Monday night when they play host to Leeds United. Below is a full match preview featuring tactical analysis, predicted lineups, team news, injuries, and a Spurs vs. Leeds prediction.
Spurs were victorious over Leeds in their first meeting this season, winning 2-1 back in December. However, a lot has changed for both sides since then.
Tottenham vs Leeds Match Details
- Competition: Premier League
- Round: 36
- Date: Monday, May 11, 2026
- Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London, UK)
- Kickoff Time: 8:00pm (BST)
Tottenham Team News
Tottenham secured a massive three points last weekend against a heavily rotated Aston Villa side, winning 2-1. Spurs now sit 17th in the table on 37 points.
Spurs fans were given a boost on the injury front on Thursday when Roberto De Zerbi alluded to the potential return of Dominic Solanke before the season’s conclusion, with the striker potentially being ready for Tottenham’s match against Chelsea in Matchweek 37.
Amid some injury concerns surrounding Bentancur and Richarlison following the Villa match, De Zerbi confirmed that Bentancur was substituted due to fatigue and that his side escaped the fixture with no new additions to the injury list.
Pape Matar Sarr and Destiny Udogie both made their returns from the treatment room last weekend.
Tottenham Injuries
Unavailable: Xavi Simons, Wilson Odobert, Mohammed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, Cristian Romero, Ben Davies, Dominic Solanke
Questionable: Guglielmo Viccario
Leeds United Team News
As mentioned, Leeds are all but safe in 14th position on 43 points. They have performed exceptionally well of late, losing just one of their previous nine matches across all competitions and going unbeaten in six consecutive Premier League matches.
Leeds are coming off the back of a dominant 3-1 home victory over Burnley on Friday.
On the injury front, Gabriel Gudmundsson remains ruled out with the hamstring injury that kept him out of the Burnley match. He has now been joined on the sidelines by Noah Okafor, who picked up a calf strain and is expected to miss the next two matches.
Leeds United Injuries
Unavailable: Ilia Gruev, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Noah Okafor
Questionable:
Tottenham vs Leeds Predicted Lineups
Tottenham Lineup Notes
The only change I can see for Tottenham is Yves Bissouma stepping in for Bentancur. Bissouma has performed well under De Zerbi and, with questions potentially lingering over Bentancur’s fitness, he could step into the starting XI. The remainder of Tottenham’s lineup I have unchanged from their match against Villa last weekend
Leeds Lineup Notes
The only change I have for Leeds from their starting lineup against Burnley last weekend is the inclusion of Brenden Aaronson following Noah Okafor’s calf injury.
Tottenham vs Leeds Match Win Probability
Tottenham: 45%
Draw: 27%
Leeds: 28%
To view the win probabilities for every Premier League match, click here!
Tottenham vs Leeds Tactical Preview
It certainly feels as though one more win and three more points could see Tottenham safe — particularly if West Ham fall against league leaders Arsenal on Sunday.
For Daniel Farke’s Leeds side, they have proven to be defensively robust of late and will need to play to their strengths, avoiding being drawn into an open game if they want to leave North London with all three points.
Tottenham’s System Under De Zerbi
On paper, Tottenham line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation — but their shape on the pitch is anything but. Under De Zerbi, Tottenham rotate frequently, setting up in possession in a 2-3-2-3 structure that is comfortable rotating and circulating the ball both vertically and horizontally. They are content moving the ball backward to draw their opposition out of position rather than forcing play forward prematurely.
What Tottenham’s 2-3-2-3 shape does is create triangles all over the pitch, ensuring that passing lanes are always open and that they have the ability to generate numerical superiority wherever they are on the field.
Under De Zerbi, Tottenham also rotate players consistently — placing different players into positions that suit their individual strengths. A strong example of this is Udogie pushing high to join the attack, either in the left-sided ten role or along the left wing. At times against Villa, we saw Gallagher drop into the left back position, freeing Pedro Porro to push from right back all the way into a right-sided attacking midfield role.
Porro is an outstanding crosser of the ball, and getting him higher up the pitch into the half-spaces — where he loves to deliver from — while dropping Conor Gallagher into a deeper ball-progression role plays to both of their strengths.
In possession, Tottenham dictate the tempo. They are comfortable moving the ball horizontally and vertically under De Zerbi — never rushing, always biding their time and finding the open man. They look methodical, calculated, and structured in their build-up play.
Where Tottenham are currently limited is quality depth. Their injury list is considerable, and it would be fascinating to see what their lineup looks like with a clean bill of health. With the players currently available, misplaced passes creep in, runs can be mistimed, and decision-making can occasionally let them down.
Tottenham Out of Possession
Under De Zerbi, Tottenham press aggressively — fighting for every ball, converging as a unit on players who break their lines, and tracking back to attack ball carriers from behind should they get past the first press. The press is extremely well-structured and focuses on clogging the central lanes of the pitch.
That said, I suspect Tottenham’s opportunities to press high will be limited in this match, with Daniel Farke likely opting to go long from goal kicks and when in possession deep in their own half in order to bypass the Spurs press.
When defending in their block, Tottenham shift into a 4-2-3-1 shape that can transition into a 4-4-2, with Gallagher pushing higher alongside Richarlison.
In their 4-4-2 defensive shape, Tottenham’s back line can at times become narrow, affording too much space in the wide channels — something that could work in Leeds’ favour given their attack-minded wingbacks.
Leeds United’s 3-4-3 System
Since adopting the 3-4-3 shape, Leeds have looked a significantly improved side — good enough to drag themselves out of a relegation battle and into mid-table comfort.
Leeds’ wingbacks provide width in the outside lanes in both attacking and defensive phases. With Gudmundsson sidelined, James Justin is likely to step into the left wingback role. Justin’s versatility and ability to operate in multiple positions makes him an invaluable option for Farke at this stage of the season.
When pushing into the attacking phase or looking to progress the ball up the pitch, Leeds adopt a 3-2-5 shape with a W-shaped front five that gets bodies high and wide.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the line, and his aerial ability and capacity to hold play up with a defender on his back is central to how Leeds build attacks. He is used as a link between the deeper defensive unit and the advancing tens — either winning headers to set up second balls for his teammates, or receiving at feet and laying the ball off quickly to players arriving in support.
Three central defenders at the back provides Leeds with solid defensive stability when play is in transition.
With this shape, Leeds push numbers high and spread them across the width of the pitch — this allows them to switch play to the opposite, less congested flank via their wingbacks, creating overloads and opportunities from wide areas.
Leeds Out of Possession
Out of possession, Leeds transition into a 5-4-1 defensive shape, with their tens dropping into the midfield line and their wingbacks dropping to form a back five.
Once settled in their 5-4-1, Leeds look to get all eleven men behind the ball and defend with numbers, congesting passing lanes throughout the pitch. Their central defenders stay narrow while the wingbacks take responsibility for the wide areas. The back line operates in close proximity to the midfield line, making the space between Leeds’ defensive lines difficult to find and even harder to exploit.
Leeds can be vulnerable out of possession, however, when their wingbacks are positioned very wide. They can be outnumbered in the wide channels if the opposition brings numbers into those areas high up the pitch.
How Tottenham Can Find Success
Pull Leeds Out of Shape
Tottenham will need to circulate the ball patiently and vertically in this match, looking to gradually pull Leeds out of their defensive structure rather than forcing the issue. De Zerbi’s side are comfortable in possession and should avoid trying to bludgeon their way through Leeds’ low block. Dropping players deeper and rotating intelligently will be key to drawing Leeds markers out of position and opening space between those tightly-organised defensive lines.
Manipulate the Back Line by Dropping Attackers
Manchester United were able to do this to some effect in their home meeting with Leeds earlier this season.
With five defenders at the back, one of Leeds’ central defenders often picks up the opposition’s attacking midfielder, at times stepping out of the defensive line to follow his man when he drops deep. Additionally, Leeds’ wingbacks can be caught out by timed runs into the channel between themselves and the centre-halves. If they react even fractionally late, it can spell trouble — something we saw exploited in Leeds’ match against Manchester United:
Make Timely Runs in Behind to Expose High Line
Leeds operate with a communicative high defensive line, looking to catch opponents offside by jumping high as a unit, but this comes with inherent risk when opposition runners go untracked. Tottenham already utilise Richarlison to make runs in behind the back line, and he should be tasked with a similar brief in this match.
How Leeds Can Find Success
Go Long From the Back to Bypass Build-Up
Tottenham’s press under De Zerbi is high, relentless, and aggressive — and with each passing match it looks sharper and more cohesive. It is central in design, cuts off passing lanes, and forces opponents into turnovers while Spurs already have numbers ahead of the ball.
Daniel Farke will be aware of this and should look to go direct from the back rather than risk giving away cheap possession in dangerous areas. With Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s aerial presence high up the pitch — combined with his ability to hold play up and distribute to his tens — he is the ideal target man for a match like this one against an opposition whose press has looked so dangerous and well-drilled.
Going long bypasses the build-up phase entirely, moves Leeds higher up the pitch more quickly, and significantly reduces risk in dangerous areas.
Utilise the Outside Lanes in Attack
As previously mentioned, Tottenham’s back line narrows when they drop into a low defensive block. With Leeds’ wingbacks providing width and getting forward, getting them on the ball in the outside channels and into crossing positions could pay dividends — particularly with an aerial threat like Calvert-Lewin waiting in the area.
Defend in Shape and Avoid Being Pulled Out of Position
Much like Tottenham will try to pull Leeds high, Leeds should resist the temptation to overcommit numbers forward. Remaining defensively organised and keeping their shape compact will be crucial to limiting space between their lines and denying Spurs openings in dangerous areas.
Leeds are comfortable allowing their opposition to hold the ball. They will make themselves difficult to break down and should force Tottenham to come to them, rather than opening vertical space that a patient De Zerbi side would love to exploit.
Tottenham vs Leeds Prediction
Tottenham are one win away from potentially securing their Premier League status. They have shown character, energy, and maximum effort in recent matches as they fight for their top-flight lives, and De Zerbi is clearly drilling his new side well — expect that to continue.
Leeds, meanwhile, can hurt teams on the counter, through deliveries from wide areas, and are a genuine threat from set pieces and long throws. Thirteen of Leeds’ 47 Premier League goals this season have come from these kinds of situations, a testament to just how effective they are in that regard (via FotMob).
Prediction: 2-1 Tottenham
