Three bold predictions for Leeds vs Tottenham as £51m star shows his quality - Opinion

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Tottenham return to Premier League action with a tricky trip to Elland Road, and with Thomas Frank still shaping his squad, here are three bold predictions that could define their clash with Leeds United.

Tottenham Hotspur are back in Premier League action this weekend, and it is a lunchtime kick-off against newly promoted Leeds United.

It is fourth versus 12th in the league table, with both sides coming off the back of draws in their previous outings, Spurs having been held 1-1 by bottom-placed Wolves and Leeds drawing 2-2 with Bournemouth.

It is the final league fixture before the international break, and Tottenham fans will be hoping their side can finally break what has become a frustrating international break curse.

Ahead of the clash, here are our three bold predictions that could happen.

Archie Gray to start for Tottenham at Elland Road

Thomas Frank may well look to freshen things up in the centre of the pitch this weekend, and that could involve a change in midfield.

Archie Gray has started only once all season in the Premier League, with his first start coming in matchweek one when Spurs faced Burnley, but he is yet to start another league game.

During the midweek, the teenager produced a lively cameo off the bench in Spurs’ last Champions League outing, with his energy and willingness to drive forward leading to the cross that forced a Bodo/Glimt own goal.

He could now return to midfield against his former side, and that would likely see Rodrigo Bentancur rested after a poor display last time out in Europe.

Xavi Simons to start in the 10 role and score the opener

Tottenham have lacked creativity in recent weeks, and that has led to calls for Xavi Simons to be deployed in the number 10 role, something Thomas Frank has so far avoided in the league.

The Dane has often relied on Lucas Bergvall and Pape Matar Sarr to be the creative players in his setup, which has not entirely been convincing.

Saturday afternoon, however, could mark Simons‘ first Premier League start as the central playmaker, and the 22-year-old could very well crown it with a goal to properly announce himself on the English stage.

Tottenham to keep a clean sheet at Leeds

Spurs have struggled for clean sheets in recent weeks, conceding in their last two outings, yet the trip to Elland Road could be the perfect chance to tighten things up at the back.

It would be a fourth clean sheet in the league if Tottenham can keep Leeds at bay, and despite Guglielmo Vicario making a few errors recently, the Italian has shown enough resilience to bounce back.

With Simons getting on the scoresheet and Spurs shutting the door at the back, the long-running international break curse could finally end, with Tottenham sealing a much-needed win before the pause in domestic action for the first time since October 2023.