Leeds’ 3-0 victory over Wolves on Saturday has put them eight points clear of Tottenham in the relegation zone, with only five games remaining.
Spurs, on the other hand, let two valuable points slip after a late Brighton equaliser and are still searching for their first league win of 2026.
Leeds were in complete control against Wolves, and when you factor in last week’s win over Manchester United, they now look firmly on course to stay up.
Daniel Farke, though, has urged his players to stay grounded and has refused to completely dismiss the possibility of a late Tottenham fightback.
However, Gary Lineker has conceded that a West Ham win tonight at Crystal Palace may further complicate the survival race.
Gary Lineker knows Tottenham are in trouble
Leeds are sitting pretty in 15th in the Premier League table. Another win in the next couple of games will certainly guarantee them Premier League safety.
Nottingham Forest’s win over Burnley on Sunday has further complicated matters for Tottenham, and Gary Lineker feels West Ham will further push Spurs down if they beat Palace tonight.
He admitted that Tottenham played well against Brighton, but the late equaliser from Georginio Rutter could prove to be far too costly at the end of the season.
The former Spurs star believes Tottenham are now the biggest favourites to go down at this late stage of the campaign.
Lineker said on the Rest Is Football Podcast: “If West Ham beat Palace, Spurs will be four points behind them with only five games to go.
“I thought Tottenham played really, really well, but that was a devastating blow for them right at the end.
“They’re serious favourites now to go down.”
Spurs will have one eye on Daniel Farke’s side despite the gap
Daniel Farke’s side have all but secured another season in the Premier League and could make it official with just one more win.
If Leeds pick up a victory in the coming weeks and get past Chelsea in next Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final, their focus might look very different by the time they travel to face Tottenham next month.
Spurs will be hoping that’s the case, that Leeds are already safe and have an FA Cup final on their minds, because it could see Farke rotate his squad for that game.
Before that trip to north London, Leeds host Burnley, and a win there should be enough to confirm survival.
By then, Leeds could already be out of Tottenham’s reach, which is exactly what Spurs will want: safe, comfortable, and perhaps a little distracted by a potential Wembley final.
