Televised Match Previews / Jaymes Monte / 02 February 2010 /

Leeds were written off as one hit wonders after their win at Old Trafford but proved otherwise at White Hart Lane. However, Jaymes Monte believes that this is the end of the road for Beckford and co. Best Bet: Back Spurs to win @ [1.85]

Has Harry Redknapp finally cracked up or will this prove to be another astute transfer window of wheeling and dealing? Defensively he has signed a centre half who will be at least sixth choice at the club and loaned out his only two orthodox right-backs, leaving no cover in that position should Vedran Corluka pick up an injury or suspension. Then even more baffling is the decision to bring in an ageing Eidur Gudjohnsen - who failed to score in any of his nine appearances for Monaco - and allow £15million, club captain, and proven goal scorer Robbie Keane to leave on loan.

Only time will tell, but at least on the surface of things it does all look a little strange, Tottenham fans could end up looking back on this transfer window as the month that lost them their Champions League chance. On the other hand Leeds fans will look back rather favourably on the first month of this new decade. They managed to hang on to talismanic striker Jermaine Beckford who could be the difference between Championship and League One football next season. And much more importantly, pride and recognition for the right reasons have been restored at the football club. It is once again a good time to be a Leeds United fan.

Their league form took a much needed turn for the better at the weekend as they got back to winning ways for the first time since defeating Manchester United; Beckford bagged a brace in a 2-0 win over Colchester. Now they've the chance to host a Premier League club for the second time this season in front of an undoubted sell out crowd.

They are being given a lot more respect by Betfair punters this time around and are available to back at [4.7] in the match odds, whilst the draw is [3.9] and Tottenham are [1.85]. After the initial tie at White Hart Lane I think this could be a case of once bitten twice shy with punters keen to avoid having their fingers burnt for a second time. However, I'm quite happy to steam into Spurs here. The departures of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal have now blown this year's FA Cup wide open and given a second bite at the cherry Redknapp will have his players well up for this one.

Beckford is quite obviously the man that the Spurs defenders need to keep quiet, but given that neither they nor Manchester United defenders could do so I can't advocate laying him at [3.3] to score at anytime in the 90 minutes. If he (or any other Leeds player) does get on the score sheet then I'll need Tottenham to score two or more in order to see my Spurs win prediction come in, so that also suggests backing Over 2.5 goals. At [1.9] it may seem a little short initially, but there were chances aplenty in the first game and with Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch also in good goal scoring form this could be a night for the strikers.

One final word of mention goes to the bookings related markets. Leeds picked up six yellow cards in the first match and in a match that means a lot to both sides at this stage of the season, backing '9pts an above' at around [2.4] could be a steal.

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