Tottenham Hotspur projected XI for big trip to Leeds United

By Aaron Coe | May 7, 2021

Tottenham Hotspur's Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his team's third goal and his hatrick goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 2, 2021. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Shaun Botterill / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Tottenham Hotspur’s Welsh midfielder Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his team’s third goal and his hat-trick goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on May 2, 2021. – (Photo by SHAUN BOTTERILL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

Tottenham Hotspur is coming off a strong win over Sheffield United as they head to Elland Road to face Leeds United. The Spurs are looking to keep their slim top-four hopes alive as Leeds look to claw their way into the top half in their first season back in the top flight. Here is the XI Ryan Mason and his staff is most likely to start following the Spurs’ big win, starting with the star from the Sheffield rout.

Gareth Bale Back-to-Back

There is a big difference for Tottenham Hotspur right now than earlier in the season as the pace of games has slowed considerably. When Tottenham was playing two or even three games over a week, it was not a good recipe for Gareth Bale. This was especially true early in the season as Bale was trying to work his way back to full fitness.

Based on the hat-trick and man-of-the-match display against Sheffield, Bale is obviously fit and ready to go at this point. Gareth Bale is doubly important in this match, as the man who is most likely to be marking him – Ezgjan Alioski – is a back that likes to get forward. If Tottenham can play from the front foot as they did last week against Sheffield that will help the team control what can be a potent, yet porous Leeds team.

We have seen that when Gareth Bale has been both on the field and on-form, he has been nearly unplayable this season, although mostly against lesser competition. Just as the next four matches are an audition of sorts for Ryan Mason, so too are they for Gareth Bale. While some are sold on him returning for another loan with Spurs, his inconsistency and expense make it a gamble.

All that said, if Bale can finish with a flurry and help Tottenham pull off something special, then maybe he does need to come back for one more run. Regardless of next season, expect to see Bale get another chance to make his case Saturday afternoon. Here are the others who will be joining him.