Leeds United return to Elland Road on Saturday (7 November) seeking a vital response as they host high-flying Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League.

Daniel Farke’s side are currently winless in their last five league outings, dropping to 12th in the table following a disappointing 2-0 defeat away at Bournemouth last weekend. With the Whites managing just two goals across that five-game span, concerns over the team’s attacking potency have reached a peak ahead of a stern test against a Spurs side riding a three-match winning streak.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday (5 November), Farke delivered a mixed injury report. While key centre-back Joe Rodon has returned to full team training following a lengthy absence, attacking duo Noah Okafor (adductor) and Anton Stach (foot) remain major doubts after being limited to individual rehab.

Mixed news this week. Good news – Joe Rodon is back in full team training this week. Of course, he was out for quite some time, but it’s definitely good because he’s an important player for us. In offence, we are still struggling. Noah Okafor (abductor) was not able to have a team training session this week so far; just individual work for him. I can’t say if he is available. We have two more days, but so far he has not joined us in team training. Same for Anton Stach (foot): just individual rehab work was possible. Major doubts, the both of them.

Crucially, top scorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffered a minor foot setback and missed Thursday’s session, leaving his availability up in the air despite Farke remaining “carefully optimistic.”

On a positive note, full-backs Gabriel Gudmundsson and James Justin have both overcome the knocks that forced them off at the Vitality Stadium, giving Farke a welcome boost in defence.

Dominic had a little setback with his foot as well. He was not able to train today, but I’m carefully optimistic he’ll be back in training tomorrow, and then he’ll be available.

Knocks, especially Gabi, but everything is okay. They [Justin and Gudmundsson] were able to train with us in the last few days. As things stand, no problem.

Here is how Leeds United could line up at Elland Road on Saturday.

Leeds United predicted XI vs Tottenham – One change as Dominic Calvert-Lewin replaced by Lukas Nmecha

In goal, James Trafford remains an undisputed starter following an impressive personal start to the campaign despite Leeds’ collective dip in form.

Farke faces little reason to disrupt his backline after Gudmundsson and Justin were cleared of serious damage. Both full-backs trained without issue this week, meaning Farke will resist the temptation to rotate in Melvin Bard or Jaka Bijol.

Alongside defensive cornerstone Tarik Muharemovic, Nico Elvedi is expected to keep his place in the three-man central unit, with Rodon likely built back up via the bench following his two-month lay-off.

On the right flank, Jayden Bogle will retain his spot as an ever-present figure in Farke’s tactical setup.

With Stach facing a race against time to overcome a foot injury, the central midfield pairing virtually picks itself.

Captain Ethan Ampadu will lead the team out once again, partnered by Ao Tanaka. The Japan international has started seven of Leeds’ nine Premier League matches this term and provides the vital composure needed to disrupt Tottenham’s fluid central transitions.

The primary selection headaches lie in the final third. Given Calvert-Lewin’s lack of team training on Thursday, Lukas Nmecha is primed to lead the line. The German forward offers a physical focal point capable of holding up play against Spurs’ aggressive high line.

Behind the central striker, major question marks remain after Harry Wilson and Daniel James struggled to influence proceedings against Bournemouth. While January signing Jean-Matteo Bahoya is still waiting for his first Premier League start, Brenden Aaronson is putting serious pressure on Wilson for a spot in the starting XI.

However, Farke may ultimately lean on Wilson’s set-piece delivery alongside James’ raw pace to counter Tottenham’s defensive structure.

Predicted Leeds United XI (3-4-2-1): Trafford; Justin, Elvedi, Muharemovic; Bogle, Tanaka, Ampadu, Gudmundsson; Wilson, James; Nmecha.