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Match Preview: Tottenham Hotspur v Leeds United

White Hart Lane, London N17 - The World Famous Home of the Spurs

Saturday 23rd January 2010, Kick Off 17:15

FA Cup, Fourth Round

Tottenham Hotspur: 4th in Premier League, 38 points from 66

Leeds United: 1st in League One (3rd Flight), 57 points from 75

Referee: Alan Wiley (Staffordshire)

Assistant referees: Darren Cann & Jake Collin

Fourth official: Phil Dowd

COMMENT:

Tottenham Hotspur play their first match against Leeds United in over six years as they host the Yorkshire side at White Hart Lane in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. Spurs had a comfortable 4-0 win over Peterborough United in the previous round with goals from Niko Kranjcar (2), Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane, while Leeds United had a fantastic win at Old Trafford over Manchester United with Jermaine Beckford scoring the only goal of the game.

Tottenham Hotspur have won the FA Cup eight times (1901, 1921, 1961, 1962, 1967, 1981, 1982 & 1991) while Leeds United's only FA Cup win came in 1972 against Arsenal. Spurs were losing FA Cup Finalists in 1987 against Coventry City while Leeds have been on the losing side at Wembley three times (1965, 1970 & 1973).

This will be the seventh meeting between the two clubs in the FA Cup with Spurs winning three, Leeds one and two draws in the previous six matches. The last FA Cup meeting came in the 5th Round replay in February 1999 with Spurs winning 2-0 at White Hart Lane with goals from Darren Anderton and David Ginola.

Both teams come into the game having lost their last matches - Spurs lost 0-2 to Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League and Leeds lost at home to Carlisle United in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Northern Area final first leg 1-2 with Jason Crowe scoring their goal.

Despite the defeat to Liverpool, Spurs are still in fourth place in the Premier League while Leeds United are currently top of League One (third flight of English football) three points clear of Norwich City.

The current Tottenham squad features several ex-Leeds United players:

Aaron Lennon, who hopes to return for the match after injury, was with Leeds as a schoolboy and played 38 times for them before his transfer to Spurs in June 2005 for GBP 800,000.

Robbie Keane came to Leeds from Inter Milan in 2001, initially on loan, and played 46 times for them scoring 13 goals before his transfer to Spurs in 2002 for GPB 7 million.

Jonathan Woodgate joined Leeds from Middlesbrough as a schoolboy in 1996 and played 104 matches scoring 5 goals for Leeds before his move to Newcastle United. Woodgate had further moves to Real Madrid and back to Middlesbrough before joining Spurs in January 2008 for GBP 7 million.

Danny Rose was a product of Leeds United's youth system and he joined Spurs for a reported million pounds in July 2007.

Tottenham's first team coach, Joe Jordan, was a striker with Leeds United from 1970 to 1978 where he made 170 appearances, scoring 35 goals.

TEAM NEWS:

Aaron Lennon will miss the chance to face his former club Leeds United in the FA Cup at White Hart Lane on Saturday. The winger who made his debut at 16 for Leeds at the Lane back in August, 2003 remains sidelined with a groin injury. "He was hoping to be fit for this game, he has pushed himself but he's not ready yet," explained Harry on Friday.

Tom Huddlestone is also out of the fourth round tie with the knee problem that forced him out of the reckoning at Liverpool on Wednesday. "His knee is still a little puffy and we won't take a chance with it," said Harry. Ledley King will not feature after starting at Anfield. The defender came off with cramp 80 minutes into the 2-0 defeat. "He came through that okay," added Harry. "But two games in such quick succession isn't possible at the moment and he won't play."

Benoit Assou-Ekotto (hip), Jonathan Woodgate (groin) and Carlo Cudicini (pelvis, wrist) remain sidelined. Harry suggested that young winger Danny Rose will make an appearance against his former club. Danny, who joined us from Elland Road in July, 2007, won a penalty in the last round against Peterborough United and has impressed Harry of late. "He's worked hard, trained well, showed a great attitude and he'll get a chance to play," said Harry. "He can play wide left, he's quick and he gets at defenders. He can also play central and he's a tough lad as well. I'm looking forward to seeing him play."

Striker Luciano Becchio is expected to return alongside Jermaine Beckford for Leeds, while defender Patrick Kisnorbo could also come back in to the side. Goalkeeper Shane Higgs is still dogged by a thigh problem, so Casper Ankergren will continue.

MATCH FACTS:

The tie in context

• This is one of two Premier League against League One ties in the fourth round.

• Leeds are one of three survivors from the third level; Tottenham are one of 15 Premier league clubs trying to qualify for the last 16.

Gulf in class

• Leeds, the League One leaders, are 41 places below Tottenham in the league standings.

Head-to-head

• Tottenham won the most recent two of their 94 competitive meetings with Leeds, completing the double over them in the 2003/04 Premier League season.

• These clubs have been drawn against each other four times previously in the FA Cup. Tottenham hold the advantage by three wins in one.

• Leeds' one victory was in the quarter-finals in 1972, the one and only time they went on to win the trophy.

• Tottenham's fourth round victory 10 years later, was one step on the road to Wembley and to Spurs lifting the trophy for one of the eight occasions they have done so in their history.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Current form

• The 2-0 away defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday, ended Tottenham's six-match unbeaten sequence, in which they had not conceded.

• Robbie Keane is a former Leeds player, as are the injured pair Aaron Lennon and Jonathan Woodgate.

• Peter Crouch could start a club game for the 300th time in his career.

FA Cup form

• Tottenham will want to avoid a fourth round exit for the third year running.

• Last knocked out by a lower league club in 2006; Leicester of the Championship.

• Last humiliated by a third level club 22 years ago; Port Vale defeated them 2-1 in the fourth round at Vale Park in January 1988.

LEEDS UNITED

Current form

• Lost the last two, after a 17-match undefeated sequence.

• Mike Grella could play on his 23rd birthday.

FA Cup form

• This is their best run in the competition, since reaching the quarter-finals in 2002/03.

• Aiming for successive giant-killing acts, having claimed the prize scalp of Manchester United in the third round.

• Victory would be their 100th in an FA Cup tie in their history.

Replay date

Tuesday, 2 February 2010 (Kick Off: 1945)

LAST MATCH LINE-UPS:

Tottenham Hotspur (L 0-2 Liverpool A):

Gomes, Corluka (61 Hutton), Dawson, King (80 Bassong), Bale, Modric, Palacios, Jenas, Kranjcar (65 Keane), Defoe, Crouch

Substitutes: Alnwick, Rose, Dos Santos, Pavlyuchenko

Yellow card: Bale, Jenas, Palacios

Leeds United (L 1-2 Carlisle United H):

Ankergren, Crowe, Naylor, Bromby, Kilkenny, Howson, Johnson, Hughes, Beckford, Grella (83 Becchio), Snodgrass

Substitutes: Jones, Michalik, White, Doyle

Goal: Crowe 56

Yellow card: Johnson

MARK LAWRENSON'S PREDICTION (BBC):

Leeds recorded the result of the third round by defeating Manchester United at Old Trafford.

However, Simon Grayson's side have not won since then and are up against a Tottenham team that will be looking to respond to their defeat at Liverpool.

Harry Redknapp knows that both Manchester United and Liverpool are already out of the Cup and I think he will select a strong side.

Verdict: Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Leeds United

PREVIOUS MEETINGS:

Saturday's match will be the 95th meeting between Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United and the first in over six years.

Here are the results of the previous 94 matches with Spurs' score shown first:

18-Oct-1924

Division 1

25,000

0 - 1

09-Mar-25

Division 1

8,000

2 - 1

Seed, Lane

19-Dec-25

Division 1

19,200

3 - 2

Thompson, Osborne, Elkes

01-May-26

Division 1

16,158

1 - 4

Elkes

04-Dec-26

Division 1

24,470

1 - 1

Dimmock

23-Apr-27

Division 1

17,745

4 - 1

Sanders (2), Handley, Dimmock (pen)

12-Dec-31

Division 2

15,689

0 - 1

23-Apr-32

Division 2

17,285

3 - 1

O'Callaghan, Hunt GS, Greenfield

18-Nov-33

Division 1

19,681

0 - 0

31-Mar-34

Division 1

29,547

5 - 1

McCormick, Hunt GS (3), Evans W

22-Dec-34

Division 1

23,662

1 - 1

Evans W

04-May-35

Division 1

7,668

3 - 4

Bolan, Morrison, Hunt DA

15-Nov-47

Division 2

41,563

3 - 1

Burgess, Baily, Duquemin

03-Apr-48

Division 2

24,891

3 - 1

Rundle, Baily, Flint

08-Sep-48

Division 2

33,793

0 - 0

13-Sep-48

Division 2

37,640

2 - 2

Cox, Jones

10-Sep-49

Division 2

48,274

2 - 0

Bennett, Baily

14-Jan-50

Division 2

50,476

0 - 3

09-Jan-54

F.A. Cup 3

41,645

3 - 3

Walters, Bennett (2)

13-Jan-54

F.A. Cup 3 Replay

35,023

1 - 0

Bennett

25-Aug-56

Division 1

51,212

5 - 1

Blanchflower, Medwin, Smith R, Brooks, Robb

02-Mar-57

Division 1

33,895

1 - 1

Stokes

26-Oct-57

Division 1

33,860

2 - 0

Medwin, Smith R

08-Mar-58

Division 1

23,429

2 - 1

Smith R (2)

25-Oct-58

Division 1

38,691

2 - 3

Iley, Smith R

14-Mar-59

Division 1

17,010

1 - 3

Norman

26-Dec-59

Division 1

36,037

4 - 2

Harmer, Smith R, Allen

28-Dec-59

Division 1

54,170

1 - 4

Mackay

17-Oct-64

Division 1

41,464

1 - 3

Greaves

27-Feb-65

Division 1

42,350

0 - 0

08-Sep-65

Division 1

48,156

3 - 2

Mackay, Greaves

15-Sep-65

Division 1

41,920

0 - 2

20-Aug-66

Division 1

43,844

3 - 1

Mullery, Greaves, Gilzean

17-Dec-66

Division 1

29,852

2 - 3

Greaves, Gilzean

12-Apr-68

Division 1

56,587

2 - 1

Greaves, Chivers

17-Apr-68

Division 1

48,933

0 - 1

09-Nov-68

Division 1

38,995

0 - 0

18-Jan-69

Division 1

42,396

0 - 0

09-Aug-69

Division 1

35,804

1 - 3

Greaves

14-Feb-70

Division 1

41,723

1 - 1

Cooper og

19-Aug-70

Division 1

39,927

0 - 2

09-Jan-71

Division 1

43,867

2 - 1

Chivers (2)

25-Aug-71

Division 1

25,099

1 - 1

Gilzean

29-Jan-72

Division 1

46,774

1 - 0

Chivers

18-Mar-72

F.A. Cup 6

43,937

1 - 2

Pratt

26-Aug-72

Division 1

41,191

0 - 0

06-Jan-73

Division 1

32,404

1 - 2

Gilzean

01-Sep-73

Division 1

42,091

0 - 3

01-Jan-74

Division 1

46,545

1 - 1

McGrath

04-Dec-74

Division 1

25,832

1 - 2

Duncan

28-Apr-75

Division 1

49,886

4 - 2

Knowles (2, 1pen), Conn, Chivers

20-Sep-75

Division 1

27,372

1 - 1

Pratt

10-Apr-76

Division 1

40,365

0 - 0

11-Sep-76

Division 1

34,725

1 - 0

Jones

19-Feb-77

Division 1

26,858

1 - 2

Armstrong

16-Sep-78

Division 1

36,062

2 - 1

Lee, Taylor

20-Jan-79

Division 1

36,838

1 - 2

Hoddle

20-Oct-79

Division 1

25,203

2 - 1

Jones, Armstrong

01-Mar-80

Division 1

35,331

2 - 1

Falco, Hoddle

13-Sep-80

Division 1

21,947

0 - 0

07-Feb-81

Division 1

32,372

1 - 1

Archibald

12-Dec-81

Division 1

28,780

0 - 0

23-Jan-82

F.A. Cup 4

46,126

1 - 0

Crooks

08-May-82

Division 1

35,020

2 - 1

Brooke, Burns og

15-Sep-90

Division 1

31,342

2 - 0

Howells, Lineker

02-Feb-91

Division 1

32,253

0 - 0

14-Dec-91

Division 1

31,404

1 - 1

Howells

07-Mar-92

Division 1

27,622

1 - 3

Allen

25-Aug-92

FA Prem

28,218

0 - 5

20-Feb-93

FA Prem

32,040

4 - 0

Ruddock, Sheringham (3, 1pen)

20-Nov-93

FA Prem

31,275

1 - 1

Anderton

17-Apr-94

FA Prem

33,658

0 - 2

15-Oct-94

FA Prem

39,362

1 - 1

Sheringham

14-May-95

FA Prem

33,040

1 - 1

Sheringham

09-Sep-95

FA Prem

30,034

2 - 1

Howells, Sheringham

02-May-96

FA Prem

30,024

3 - 1

Armstrong, Anderton (2)

14-Dec-96

FA Prem

33,793

0 - 0

15-Mar-97

FA Prem

33,040

1 - 0

Anderton

01-Nov-97

FA Prem

26,441

0 - 1

04-Mar-98

FA Prem

31,394

0 - 1

26-Sep-98

FA Prem

35,535

3 - 3

Vega, Iversen, Campbell

13-Feb-99

F.A. Cup 5

39,696

1 - 1

Sherwood

24-Feb-99

F.A. Cup 5 Replay

32,307

2 - 0

Anderton, Ginola

10-Mar-99

FA Prem

34,521

0 - 2

28-Aug-99

FA Prem

36,012

1 - 2

Sherwood

12-Feb-2000

FA Prem

40,127

0 - 1

30-Sep-00

FA Prem

37,562

3 - 4

Rebrov (2), Perry

24-Feb-01

FA Prem

36,070

1 - 2

Ferdinand

03-Nov-01

FA Prem

40,203

1 - 2

Poyet

01-Apr-02

FA Prem

35,167

2 - 1

Iversen, Sheringham

24-Nov-02

FA Prem

35,718

2 - 0

Sheringham, Keane

12-Apr-03

FA Prem

39,560

2 - 2

Sheringham, Keane

23-Aug-03

FA Prem

34,354

2 - 1

Taricco, Kanoute

10-Jan-04

FA Prem

35,365

1 - 0

Keane

23-Jan-10

F.A. Cup 4

LAST TIME WE MET...

LEEDS UNITED 0-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Premier League, Elland Road, 10th January 2004

Leeds are staring squarely at the prospect of relegation after Tottenham striker Robbie Keane scored against his former club to secure a 1-0 win. It is now four successive defeats for caretaker-boss Eddie Gray's strugglers, with three in the Premier League. And, to add insult to injury, it was Keane who sunk the Yorkshire side with his third goal in four appearances against Leeds since leaving Elland Road in August 2002 for a cut-price £7 million.

The Republic of Ireland international's 55th-minute winner means Tottenham have now taken six points from their last two matches in four days to revive their own hopes of beating the drop. The match was as bad as it gets, in particular the first half with Leeds without a win since December 14 and Spurs looking for their first away-day triumph for three months. Following Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Newcastle, supporters had criticised Gray for persisting with a 4-5-1 formation which had served its initial purpose in stemming the tide of goals which had flooded the Leeds net during Peter Reid's reign.

If ever there was a match Gray should have had the courage of his convictions, then this was it, at Elland Road against a Tottenham team unable to seemingly buy a win or a goal on the road. But such was Gray's thinking, he instead chose to recall Nick Barmby for his first start in 10 months, perhaps hoping playing against his old club would have a galvanising effect. Mark Viduka was again left to forage on his own up front, but it is proving a lonely furrow for the Australia international as the lack of service was glaringly obvious, at least for the opening 45 minutes as he did not reappear after the break.

With David Batty out with an ankle injury and Alan Smith completing a two-match ban, there was no bite to the midfield and so nothing for Viduka to feed on, not that Spurs were able to capitalise. They had three half-chances before the break with one drive from Keane directed straight at Paul Robinson in the first two minutes. Robinson then athletically pulled out of the air a looping header from Gary Doherty, before a scare late on when he let slip through his outstretched arms a right-foot slice from Darren Anderton, although was able to recover and claim the loose ball.

Leeds struggled to create anything from open play and were reliant on set pieces, with Jermaine Pennant and Ian Harte both trying their luck with curled free-kicks. Keane broke the deadlock after 55 minutes, having signalled his intent earlier in the half with a stinging drive which a full-stretch Robinson tipped away before Harte cleared the danger ahead of Fredi Kanoute. Mauricio Taricco demonstrated some quick thinking with the Argentinian delivering a well-taken free-kick from wide on the left and just inside his own half, the ball dropping over the head of Michael Duberry for Keane.

Keane then held off the attentions of the burly centre-back before flicking a right-foot shot past Robinson from eight yards. It was his eighth goal of the season, but there was no trademark celebratory cartwheel on this occasion out of respect for his former team-mates.

Gray threw on James Milner and Lamine Sakho in a bid to rescue the situation, with Barmby and Salomon Olembe making way, but it was Spurs who then almost doubled their lead in the 74th minute.

After Stephane Dalmat had robbed Ian Harte of the ball deep inside the Spurs half, he then set off on a run before playing in Kanoute - perhaps playing his last game prior to setting off for the African Nations Cup with Mali - for a fierce right-foot drive which Robinson blocked well. When Duberry hobbled off down the tunnel, Leeds played the final 10 minutes with 10 men, resulting in Spurs almost adding to the game's meagre tally as Taricco and Kanoute both went close.

Leeds caretaker-boss Eddie Gray could be without star striker Mark Viduka at next Saturday's clash at Southampton as the Australia international is flying home tonight due to 'a family problem'.

Viduka played in the opening half of Leeds' 1-0 Elland Road defeat to relegation rivals Tottenham, but was not in the right frame of mind to continue after the break. Gray will also be without skipper Dominic Matteo for the game against the Saints through suspension, while Salomon Olembe and Lamine Sakho - who both played today - will be away on international duty in the African Cup of Nations.

Gray revealed 'Mark has a personal problem back home with one of his family who is ill. 'He has been up all night for the last two nights and he almost flew back last night. 'But he decided to give it a go, however it was clear his mind was not really on it. 'I had a chat with him at half time and now he's going to go back home tonight.'

For Spurs, there was no trademark celebratory cartwheel from Leeds old boy Robbie Keane after his match-winning strike, a fact acknowledged by Spurs caretaker-boss David Pleat. 'He has a habit of scoring against his ex-club, but he didn't celebrate,' said Pleat.

'In the emotion of the game that's a hard thing not to do, but he had the presence of mind not to do that against his old team.'

It was Spurs' first away win after a run of four straight defeats, with their six points from the last two matches now lifting them clear of the bottom three. Pleat added 'I'm delighted to win what was a very important game for us and it makes us feel much better. 'But I had never thought about relegation. No-one here had thought about relegation.

'I read about it and it has been predicted, but strangely enough the season lasts for 38 games.' Relegation is now looking a distinct possibility for Leeds as it is now five games without a win in the league, and with three straight defeats. Worryingly for Gray, the crowd turned on the team at the final whistle, with boos echoing around Elland Road.

It was the first show of dissent from the supporters who have previously given vociferous backing to Leeds, despite the club's perilous position. 'That's the first time this season the crowd have had a go and they were within their rights to do so,' lamented Gray. 'If the players don't take responsibility then the crowd will have a go at them and they were justified today.'

Gray then rounded on his players as he added: 'That's the most disappointed I have been with a performance since I came back.' 'If we are going to get out of trouble you have to got to have the courage to play and that didn't happen. 'I have said the players have been working hard enough, but the confidence to go and out play has been lacking.

'Results don't help confidence, but it's up to the players to get those results. 'The problem now is a gap has developed and that's very disappointing and when you look at the table you cannot be confident. 'But I still have the belief that we have players who are capable here and that we will get out of it.'

Leeds United

01 Paul Robinson

02 Gary Kelly

21 Dominic Matteo

22 Michael Duberry

03 Ian Harte

36 Matthew Kilgallon

19 Eirik Bakke

07 Nick Barmby

11 Jermaine Pennant

24 Salomon Olembe

09 Mark Viduka