De Zerbi's Spurs Can End 17-Month Drought With Leeds Victory, Stelling Believes

Roberto De Zerbi's Tottenham revolution appears to be gathering genuine momentum, and Jeff Stelling reckons Monday night's clash with Leeds represents the perfect opportunity to mark a significant milestone.

The talkSPORT presenter is backing Spurs to extend their impressive recent run to three consecutive victories—a feat that has eluded the north London outfit for more than 17 months. His prediction? A 2-1 triumph over the Whites.

Just weeks ago, Tottenham were staring into the abyss of the Premier League's bottom three. The appointment of De Zerbi, however, has sparked an immediate transformation. Four games into his tenure, the Italian has delivered two wins and a draw, with that latest victory hauling Spurs up and out of the relegation places, now sitting one point clear of West Ham.

"Leeds may well be safe by the time they kick off at Tottenham," Stelling observed. "They could be on the beach or they could be playing with complete freedom. I have watched Leeds with real admiration in the Premier League this season, but I sense Spurs have reinvigorated under De Zerbi. And I think they can take a huge step towards Premier League safety by beating Leeds."

The timing couldn't be more favourable for De Zerbi's men. West Ham face an Arsenal side sniffing the title, meaning a Hammers defeat is hardly unlikely. Should Tottenham beat Leeds while their rivals slip up, the gap extends to four points with just two games remaining—a commanding position from which to secure survival.

The last time Spurs managed three straight league victories was February 2025, when they dispatched Brentford, Manchester United and Ipswich in succession. Stretch that search back further and you're looking at a five-game winning run spanning different competitions—Coventry, Brentford, Qarabag, Manchester United and Ferencvaros—which took place over 17 months ago.

For De Zerbi, a third consecutive win represents both a psychological boost and a genuine statement of intent. More importantly, it could prove the decisive moment in keeping Tottenham's Premier League status secure for another season.