Tottenham Hotspur Starting XI vs Leeds United: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup

Tottenham Hotspur go into another Premier League weekend with both hope and fear hanging over them, and this time all eyes are on Elland Road where Leeds United are waiting. For Spurs fans, the news that their captain Cristian Romero is back in the starting lineup feels like the kind of relief that can change the mood of a season. But football has a way of writing its own script, and Tottenham know better than anyone that whenever hope rises too quickly, disappointment is never too far away.

Romero missed the midweek clash against Bodo/Glimt in Europe. That absence was described as a precaution, but supporters were worried. Every time a key defender misses even one game, the speculation starts to grow: is he injured again? Is it serious? Will he be out for weeks? But Thomas Frank, now in charge at Tottenham, came out in his press conference and gave the answer the fans wanted to hear. “Yes, Romero is fit and available, and he will start tomorrow,” he declared with confidence. The words were a lift to the dressing room and to the travelling fans preparing to make their journey to Yorkshire.

Tottenham’s medical team worked hard. A contact to the foot had made Romero a doubt, but the recovery was swift. He trained on Thursday, looked strong, and cleared every test. This is the kind of small detail that can turn the mood inside a camp. A fit captain means a leader on the pitch, a voice in the defence, someone to carry the badge with authority when the stadium noise grows too loud.

But even with Romero’s return, there is a cloud Tottenham cannot ignore. The history books tell a cruel story: Tottenham have not won their final match before an international break for two years. No matter the opposition, no matter the venue, they seem to stumble at this exact point of the calendar. Last season it was Bournemouth who reminded them of this curse. Now the trip to Elland Road arrives with the same questions being asked again. Can Spurs finally break the spell? Or will Leeds, backed by a passionate home crowd in an early kick-off, extend the misery?

Elland Road is not a forgiving place. It is a stadium that roars with life, where the fans breathe fire from the first whistle. Leeds feed off that energy, and Tottenham know they are walking into a battle where mistakes are punished twice as hard. In games like this, the psychological side is just as important as tactics. Tottenham have to believe they can rewrite the ending, or they risk falling into the same trap again.

Team selection has become another story in itself. Joao Palhinha, a strong midfield presence, is expected to return to the starting XI after only making a substitute appearance in Europe. He brings balance, tackles, and the ability to shield the defence. His inclusion will be key if Spurs want to protect Romero on his return. At the same time, Archie Gray is pushing for involvement. Facing his former club adds extra motivation, and he showed glimpses in midweek that he is ready for more minutes. Frank has a choice to make, and it is the kind of choice managers live for — does he trust the experience of Palhinha, or does he unleash the hunger of Gray in front of his old fans? Perhaps both will get their chance.

In attack, the debate continues. Mohammed Kudus is likely to reclaim his place on the right. His absence from the Champions League lineup surprised many, but in games like this, his pace and creativity are vital. Xavi Simons, meanwhile, could finally be handed his first Premier League start in the number ten role. Simons is a player who excites fans — full of tricks, energy, and imagination. A stage like Elland Road might be exactly the place where he announces himself in England.

Up front, the burden falls once again on Richarlison. The Brazilian has been fighting fatigue, his body showing the signs of too many minutes and too many battles. But Tottenham have no choice. Dominic Solanke is still recovering from ankle surgery, and Randal Kolo Muani has not yet shaken off a dead leg. That leaves Richarlison as the warrior who must once again carry the fight, even if his legs are heavy. Spurs fans respect his determination, but they also worry whether he can keep giving everything when the season is still so long.

There are small positives in the background. Yves Bissouma and Kota Taki have both returned to training. Even if they don’t start, their presence on the bench gives Frank options, something Spurs have been lacking in recent weeks. The predicted lineup, as things stand, tells the story of balance and necessity: Vicario in goal; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, and Udogie forming the back line; Palhinha and Sarr controlling the midfield; Kudus, Simons, and Odobert supporting Richarlison up front. It is a lineup that combines steel and flair, youth and experience. But in football, names on paper mean little. What matters is how they rise when the whistle blows.

Leeds, for their part, are not here to play the role of victims. They will see Tottenham’s curse as an opportunity. They will look at Spurs’ vulnerability in transition and sharpen their knives. For Leeds, this is the perfect stage: a home crowd ready to turn the game into chaos, an opponent carrying the weight of history, and the chance to add another page to their rivalry with London clubs.

For Spurs, Romero’s return has to mean more than just a defensive boost. It has to mean belief. When a captain steps back onto the pitch, it is a signal to his teammates that they are not alone. His voice at the back will matter when the crowd roars. His tackles will matter when Leeds press. His presence will matter when the doubts start to creep in. Football is as much about spirit as it is about skill, and Tottenham are about to discover whether their spirit can finally break the chain that has bound them for two years.

If they lose, the narrative will continue: Spurs cannot win before the international break, Spurs crumble under pressure, Spurs always fall at the wrong moment. But if they win, everything changes. Victory at Elland Road would not just be three points. It would be a statement, a message that this team under Thomas Frank is learning, growing, and finally ready to shake off old ghosts. It could set the tone for the months ahead, turning a season of questions into one of answers.

For now, the story is not written. The names are confirmed, the players are ready, and the fans are waiting. All that remains is the game itself, ninety minutes that will either lift Tottenham or haunt them again. Football never forgets, and on Saturday at Elland Road, Spurs have the chance to decide what kind of memory they will leave behind.