Antonio Conte will make his home debut as a Tottenham Hotspur boss when his side welcomes Leeds United to London this Sunday for what promises to be an exciting Premier League game.
Venue: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (London)
Key Statistics
Tottenham haven’t had a shot on target in either of their last two Premier League games, with their last such attempt coming in the 44th minute of their defeat at West Ham. Since Opta has detailed shot data (2003-04), no side has ever failed to have a shot on target in three consecutive Premier League games.
This will be Antonio Conte‘s first home league match in charge of Tottenham, and his first-ever game against either Leeds or Marcelo Bielsa as a manager.
The Italian has registered at least one win against all 53 of the previous teams he’s faced in his top-flight managerial career in Serie A and the Premier League.
Leeds United have lost their last four away Premier League matches against Tottenham, last winning there in February 2001 with goals from Ian Harte and Lee Bowyer in a 2-1 win at White Hart Lane.
Leeds are looking to record consecutive away league wins in London for the first time since April 2008, when they beat Leyton Orient and Millwall as a League One side under Gary McAllister.
Only Norwich (5) have scored fewer Premier League goals than Tottenham this season (9).
They have failed to score in each of their last three league games, last going four without a goal in August/September 2006 under Martin Jol.
Head to head
This is the 100th meeting in all competitions between Spurs and Leeds, with the London side winning 37 to Leeds’ 33 of the first 99 games (D29).
Latest Performances in all competitions
Tottenham: D-W-L-W-L
Leeds: D-W-L-D-L
Tottenham Hotspur
With the last international break for the year behind us, Antonio Conte’s reign as Tottenham boss begins in earnest as he welcomes Marcelo Bielsa to London.
The Italian manager who had only managed two Spurs games so far had two weeks of training with some members of his squad in preparation for this fixture and will like to see some of the results of his training in this game.
His side enters this game without a win or a shot on target in their last two games, but that should change on Sunday.
Although they were unable to win against Everton last time out, Conte’s side delivered one of their best defensive displays this season at Goodison Park. Their work-rate in that game was also much improved, as they covered the most amount of distance in any of their games this season.
This game against Leeds will offer them the opportunity to really show how far they have come under Antonio Conte.
Meanwhile, after scoring seven times in two World Cup qualifier games with England, Harry Kane will look to kick-off his season in the PL where he has scored just one goal. He will fancy his chance of grabbing a goal in this game.
Tottenham will be without Cristian Romero and Oliver Skipp for this game. The former sustained an injury while away with Argentina while Skipp has a one-match suspension to serve after he received a fifth booking of the season at Everton two weeks ago.
Giovani Lo Celso will be assessed following a knock picked up on international duty. But Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is expected to be fit while Ryan Sessegnon and Bryan Gil have returned to training after recent hamstring issues.
Possible Tottenham starting line-ups
Hugo Lloris; Sanchez, Eric Dier, Ben Davies; Emerson Royal, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Tanguy Ndombele, Sergio Reguilon; Son, Harry Kane, Lucas Moura.
Injured: Cristian Romero
Doubtful: Giovani Lo Celso
Suspended: Oliver Skipp
Leeds United
Leeds United will travel to London looking to record just their third win of the PL season.
The visitors have begun the season poorly, having lost four of their opening 11 PL games and are sitting in 15th place, three points ahead of Burnley occupying the last relegation spot.
Marcelo Bielsa will know that any more slip-ups will drag them fully into the relegation zone and will be desperate to avoid losing this game.
However, his side have scored just 11 times this season and have conceded 18 times, keeping just one PL clean sheet.
Although a win looks unlikely at this tie, the visitors will take courage in their recent record against Tottenham which has seen them win two of their last three meetings.
Meanwhile, Bielsa will be without Patrick Bamford again, with the striker set to miss his ninth game in all competitions due to an ankle injury. Luke Ayling, Robin Koch (both knee) and Junior Firpo (muscle strain) are still unavailable and Jamie Shackleton remains doubtful.
Also, teenage striker Joe Gelhardt is unlikely to be available for this tie after withdrawing from the England Under-20 squad through injury.
Possible Leeds starting line-ups
Illan Meslier; Stuart Dallas, Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper, Junior Firpo; Kalvin Phillips, Adam Forshaw; Raphinha, Rodrigo, Jack Harrison; Daniel James.
Injured: Patrick Bamford, Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Junior Firpo
Doubtful: Jamie Shackleton, Joe Gelhardt
Suspended: None
Prediction
Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Leeds United
