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Leeds predicted XI vs Tottenham: Defender gets first Premier League start, Noah Okafor returns
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- Leeds predicted XI vs Tottenham: Defender gets first Premier League start, Noah Okafor returns
Leeds United welcome Tottenham to Elland Road looking to end a horrible run of form.
Spurs are the visitors to West Yorkshire on Saturday, as the Whites take the Premier League lunchtime kick-off.
Daniel Farke is facing questions again, with Leeds having not won since the 4-1 success over Newcastle back in mid-September.
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Last time out, it was a 2-0 defeat at Bournemouth, where a positive start was thrown away.
Creating chances has become somewhat of a weakness for Leeds, who take on a resurgent Tottenham under Roberto De Zerbi.
With that in mind, MOT Leeds Newshas predicted the starting XI with some key changes to take place.
Injury worries at the back
James Trafford won't want to look back on his mistake at Bournemouth too much, and should start again versus Spurs.
Ahead of him, there are some fitness problems.
Both James Justin and Gabriel Gudmundsson came off at the Vitality Stadium with issues, with the latter's limp looking more serious.
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So, Melvin Bard could get his first Premier League start for Leeds, in a tough assignment down the left.
Justin was spotted taking some painkillers first, so he should be fine to start on the right of a back three, alongside Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic.
Finishing the back five, will be Jayden Bogle, who will want to increase his attacking influence that has somewhat disappeared.
Leeds United daily round-up: Joel Piroe's new challenge, Daniel Farke's record vs Tottenham assessed Midfield battle is key
Tottenham spent almost £200million on their new-look midfield in the summer, so Leeds will need to be on their game.
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After a slow start, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali are starting to come into their own, so Elland Road needs to be on them.
Ethan Ampadu, on four yellow cards, won't shy away from that battle.
Alongside him, it feels like a no-brainer at this stage that Ao Tanaka is likely to keep his place, with the all-action Japanese star needed with that engine.
Attacking changes likely for Leeds
It has got to the stage where Harry Wilson simply needs to be backed.
Arriving on a free but still a big-money marquee signing, the Welshman looked much more dangerous at Bournemouth when playing further forward.
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With Anton Stach still battling a fitness issue, he can come on later when needed with either defensive stability or set-piece dangers.
Noah Okafor missed out completely on the south coast, but the Swiss star's pace and flair should help Leeds out massively and he must start on the left if fit.
One person who will appreciate that is Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The England international had a much-needed goal ruled out last week, and he'll be relishing the physical battle against Spurs with that added pace around him.
Leeds predicted XI vs Tottenham: Trafford, Bogle, Justin, Elvedi, Muharemovic, Bard, Ampadu, Tanaka, Wilson, Okafor, Calvert-Lewin
