Daniel Farke to make Dan James decision ahead of Leeds United v Watford. Credit: Imago

Daniel Farke set to make Dan James decision ahead of Leeds United v Watford

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

21 Oct 2024, 4:40 am

Dan James' return from injury was greeted by a warm welcome as Leeds United claimed an important 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Friday (18 October).

Having not played a single minute since scoring in the 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in August, sidelined with a leg injury, the winger played 22 minutes against the Blades.

Following the victory at Elland Road, the Whites are just three points behind league-leaders Sunderland, rising above Chris Wilder's team into third in the Championship.

With the Watford clash on Tuesday 22 October, and a rather quick turnaround from the win over the Blades, Farke will likely want to rotate some of his players, especially due to some key injuries recently.

This could see James come back into the starting XI, albeit likely replacing someone like Brenden Aaronson, but history would suggest that Farke would be making the right decision ahead of the clash.

Dan James to start as Leeds United face Watford?

The Welshman has faced the Hornets on seven occasions in all competitions during his career, four times in the Premier League, twice in the Championship, and once in the FA Cup.

With five wins in that time, James - who Jon Newman dubbed as "outstanding" last season [TBR Football] - boasts a 71 per cent win rate against Watford and has an assist every 180 minutes against them [Transfermarkt].

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke

With two of the assists coming last season, he averaged one every 87 minutes against the Hornets during a 3-0 win and 2-2 draw with the Championship side.

James is clearly ready to return to the starting XI, otherwise Farke certainly would not have risked him for the final 20 minutes against a tough opposition last time out.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites could sign a Red Bull Salzburg forward after a recent deal at Elland Road.

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