Before heading in to their biggest match in years in January, an FA Cup third round tie with Manchester United, Leeds led League One by eight points, with a game in hand on nearest rivals Norwich and Charlton. A month later, they can boast the prize scalp of their old Roses rivals and have forced a fourth-round replay with Spurs thanks to a dramatic last-gasp Jermaine Beckford penalty. Crucially though, they now find themselves three points off top spot in the league - so would Leeds be satisfied with going out in order to guarantee promotion? A full house at Elland Road would suggest not.
Instead, they'll be relishing another big clash that they feel should be a regular fixture in the football calendar, and, with previous performances raising expectations, the Whites will also be reasonably confident of a win, despite Spurs' lofty Premier League position.
So can they do it? Betfair.com think so. After all, you should never discount a team who've proven themselves capable of beating a near full-strength Manchester United at Old Trafford. Of course, Leeds rode their luck at times, so too at White Hart Lane, but it would be wrong to attribute their success to just good fortune and plenty of guts.
In Beckford, Howson and Snodgrass, Leeds have players with genuine guile and class who should again thrive in an open game with Spurs. The home side are 4.6 to win on the night with Betfair, but it may be a better idea to place your free football bet on the shorter odds of 3.2 for them to qualify, given the likelihood of the match going to extra time or penalties, in which case the draw over 90 minutes at 3.9 looks a great price.
But Spurs aren't exactly struggling at the minute. Despite a recent disappointing draw at Birmingham, Tottenham have lost just once in ten games, but have at times struggled to break down stubborn sides, such as Wolves and Hull. Spurs are fourth in the Premier League and are clear favourites to win tonight at 1.87, yet with Liverpool breathing down their necks and Redknapp making it clear that a Champions League place is a priority, his side are sure to have one eye on their crucial match at home to Aston Villa on Saturday. And as they proved at Old Trafford, Simon Grayson's side are more than capable of punishing those with their eye off the ball.
|
