60 seconds on Leeds | Graham Smyth, Yorkshire Evening Post
Fri 03 October 2025, 16:15|
Tottenham Hotspur
Continuing our '60 seconds on...' preview feature, where we take a closer look at our next opponents with the people who watch them week in, week out.
Next up, it's a trip to Elland Road for Saturday's early kick-off against Leeds United (12.30pm) and that meant a call to Graham Smyth - @GrahamSmyth - Chief Football Writer at the Yorkshire Evening Post, co-host of the YEP's Inside Elland Road podcast, covering the Whites for the YEP since 2019...
What have you made of Leeds’ season so far? The last couple of results (3-1 win at Wolves, 2-2 draw against Bournemouth) suggest the team is playing well...
Graham: "Leeds have been competitive, which is more than can be said for last season's newly-promoted trio even at this early stage. They have built a physical side who give themselves a chance of taking points in almost every game. Their performances against Newcastle, Fulham and Bournemouth all arguably deserved more than the two points they earned from the three games combined. Daniel Farke is pleased with the start and so should he be."
Which of the new signings have caught the eye?
Graham: "Two spring to mind. Sean Longstaff was a clever bit of business. He has so much Premier League nous, he looks after the ball well and he runs all day. His mobility is key to the midfield making games such a battle for the opposition. At left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson has also stood out. Left-back has been a bit of a longstanding problem position for Leeds but he has been defensively sound and offensively effective. His ball carrying style is easy on the eye and helps Leeds escape from pressure in their own half."
Anything different tactically from Daniel Farke from last season?
Graham: "It's a very different approach given that in the Championship they sought to dominate possession and territory completely. He's moved from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-3-3 and they are much more compact, hard to play through and very physical. They still seek to get a foot on the ball and pass it but when they need to go direct to Dominic Calvert-Lewin they can do."
Who would be your ‘one to watch’ on Saturday?
Graham: "Noah Okafor is just starting to hit his stride and I would expect Leeds to try and be dangerous on the break against Spurs. His dribbling has been an exciting feature in recent games and he scored a lovely goal against Wolves. He's getting fitter and sharper as the matches stack up."
Is the atmosphere at Elland Road as loud as ever?
Graham: "If the team gives them a performance worth shouting about then Elland Road remains a bear pit. As long as Leeds are in the game, the atmosphere will be as loud as ever."
Finally, how do you expect the game to pan out on Saturday?
Graham: "Leeds can make life difficult for opposition sides at Elland Road. I expect them to be as physical and combative as they were against Newcastle and Bournemouth and that's their route to a point. A draw would be a fine result."
