Leeds v Tottenham Betting Preview
Another exciting duel on the cards between a Premier League side and one from the championship. What makes it all the more entertaining and combative is the fact that is at Elland Road, and not White Hart Lane. It is unlikely to be a trip that Spurs will totally be relishing, but Andre Villas-Boas’ men are in good form at the moment. Leeds also suffered a heavy home defeat in the League Cup against Chelsea this season, so that will give Spurs confidence. But Leeds have a good run of home form behind them and will fight for their place in the fifth round.
Leeds v Tottenham Betting Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Spurs 4/6, Draw 14/5, Leeds 4/1
Leeds v Tottenham Recommended Bet:
Leeds took an away win at Birmingham to set up this clash against Tottenham. It will be important, looking at the form of the Championship side, for them to take advantage of home soil here. They have been very good at Elland Road, while not so much on the road lately. In their last eight matches in the Championship, they have won all four home matches and lost all four away matches. They have also taken clean sheets in three of their four home victories and overall this season in the Championship they have lost just three of their fourteen home games. If their away form matched up anywhere near as good as their home form, they’d be in a strong playoff position.
Their dangerman is Luciano Becchio who has banged in sixteen league goals this season. United will need him to be sharp on Sunday to give them a chance. Leeds went up against Spurs in the fourth round of the 2010 FA Cup, when they took a 2-2 draw at White Hart Lane only to lose 3-1 back at Elland Road. Leeds have been knocked out by a North London club in each of the last three FA Cups and so probably weren’t too happy about their draw here. But they are in decent shape at home at the moment, as they have lost just one of their last eight games there in all competitions. That defeat was the 5-1 drubbing handed out by Chelsea in the League Cup though. History of previous FA Cup meetings against Spurs isn’t on the side of the Championship club either, as they have progressed in just one of the five previous meetings against Spurs. They’ll have home advantage but will still be underdogs.
Tottenham are going nicely at the moment and deservedly took a point off Manchester United at White Hart Lane last weekend in the Premier League. Spurs haven’t tasted defeat in their last seven Premier League matches, winning four of them. There is a good balance through the side and they pretty much dominated against Manchester United, which doesn’t happen that often. If their Premier League away form is anything to go by then they’ll take a good win at Elland Road. They have lost just one of their last five away matches in the top flight, winning three of them. Their goal scoring rate away from home this season has been stronger than it has been at home, average exactly two goals per game in the Premier League. 91% of all Spurs’ away games have gone over 2.5 goals in the top flight this term.
It was a hat trick from Jermain Defoe which sunk Leeds on Tottenham’s last visit there back in the 2010 Fourth Round. Tottenham have kept three clean sheets in their last four away games in the FA Cup. However, while that sounds good, they have failed to score in three of those four themselves. You can’t ignore the current form of Tottenham at the moment though, who are unbeaten in their last eight games in all competitions, winning five and drawing three. Gareth Bale has now netted in three successive FA Cup ties. Spurs took an easy 3-0 win over Coventry City in the third round to set up this tie.
Spurs are being favoured because they are in good form and look to have that extra touch of class. Goalscoring doesn’t look to be too much of a problem for the moment but they know they will get a tough game from Leeds. However, it is hard to see them getting toppled and they are unbeaten in their last three trips to Elland Road. A Tottenham 1 Goal Winning Margin is trading at 7/2 with online bookmaker Paddy Power.
Form
Leeds LWDLWW, Spurs WWWWDD
Stat Attack
Spurs have won four of the five previous FA Cup meetings between the two clubs
Spurs have kept three clean sheets in their last four away matches
Leeds have been knocked out by a North London side in each of the last three season
Spurs are unbeaten in eight games in all competitions
Leeds have lost just one of their last eight home games in all competitions
Online bookmaker Promotion
There is FA Cup accumulator betting insurance to take on the weekend at online bookmaker Paddy Power. Although Leeds v Spurs is on Sunday, build a five fold accumulator or bigger on Saturday’s FA Cup matches and if your bet loses because of just one leg, then the bookie will refund your lost stake as a free bet. Get yourself up to a free £50 bet from Paddy Power, who will match the value of your first stake on a new account.
