Throughout the years, there has been no love lost between Leeds and Spurs - both on and off the pitch! However, following George Graham's desertion to the London club, last season, he will be guarranteed another warm Elland Road welcome on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier this season, we managed a 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane thanks to goals from Ian Harte and Alan Smith. Incidentally, following a 2-1 home defeat by Liverpool, we then went on a run of ten consecutive victories in all competitions. Let's hope history repeats itself starting on Saturday.

Last season's opening fixture between the two clubs took place in September, with rumours rife that George was about to jump ship. Of course, that is exactly what happened: the game turned out to be Graham's last Premiership game in charge of United. What's more, Leeds' misery was compounded further by the fact that we let a comfortable 3-1 lead slip through our fingers in the final minutes of the match - to draw 3-3.

Following this, the two teams were to meet another three times: once in the Premiership and two times in the FA Cup. The opening Fifth Round FA Cup tie, at Elland Road, in February, ended in a 1-1 draw - with Ian Harte scoring a spectacular second half equaliser. However, even this bolt out of the clue paled into insignificance compared to the two strikes which won the game for Spurs in the White Hart Lane replay. Despite more than holding our own over the ninety minutes, two moments of individual magic from Anderton and Ginola decided the game - with the latter turning on an inspirational show throughout the tie.

In the Premiership match at Elland Road, in March, Ginola was as anonymous as he had been mercurial in the Cup. We ran out worthy 2-0 winners - but, in the back of United's supporters' minds was the feeling that, if we had overcome Spurs a month earlier then, with cup ties against Barnsley and Newcastle, we might have gone all the way to Wembley. Unfortunately, though, it wasn't to be.

Off the pitch, the rivalry has been just as intense. Willem Korsten appeared to be poached away from us by Graham, despite the latter's protestations, a feeling shared by O'Leary whose relationship with the Spurs boss was soured as a result. Then, over the close season, it looked as though a similar situation was to arise again, with Bridges signing for the Londoners instead of us. However, at the last minute, Michael turned Tottenham down and chose to join us instead.

As far as this weekend's fixture is concerned, both teams are desparate for victories. Spurs have slumped to seventh, 12 points behind us having played a game more...and, of course, we need to win to have any chance of maintaining a Championship challenge. What's more, with Arsenal playing Liverpool on sunday afternoon, a victory would give us an opportunity to open a gap on at least one of our main two challengers for a Champions League place.

On the injury front, we are still without the backbone of our team. Batty is approaching full match fitness but will not be risked on Saturday whilst Lucas will remain with South Africa for a few more days, despite the fact they were beaten in the semi-finals of the African Nations Cup by Nigeria. Bridges is also added to the injury list, having sprained his ankle on the training pitch in midweek.

For Spurs, reported United target Steffen Iversen is out with an ankle injury, joining long term absentee Les Ferdinand. Interestingly, this could pave the way for the afore mentioned Willem Korsten to return to face us. Ha! Ha! Ha!