Jesse Marsch explains what to expect from Watford ahead of Leeds United clash
Leeds United will face Watford in the Premier League on Saturday (09 April) at Vicarage Road.
The Whites are heading into this game on the back of a 1-1 draw against Southampton, and this is a massive game for both sides.
Jesse Marsch has warned his team that Watford are “most dangerous” when the opposition has the ball and that they have to be very careful with their approach.
“They have the second most chances of shots in transition in counter phases in matches in the league and it’s because they really look to play to that strength so we have to be very aware of that and often Watford is most dangerous when we have the ball,” said Marsch, as quoted by Yorkshire Evening Post.
“We have to make sure that we are balanced and how compact we are in our defence phases and counter pressing phases to make sure that we don’t allow their attacking players to be in open spaces and running at our defensive group.
“It’s a little bit tricky preparing for them because they rotate a lot of players, they have a talented group, a lot of good one v one players and every time I prepare for a match in this league it is hard to find weaknesses in the ways that teams do things.”
Massive game
This is a huge game for both the teams and Leeds cannot afford to lose here.
If they can get a victory, it would be a huge boost for their survival hopes. Watford will also be aiming for all three points which makes it a cracking contest to look forward to.
Leeds have done extremely well under Marsch, and they are unbeaten in their last three games, winning two of them.
The Whites are 16th in the league with 30 points, whereas Watford are in the relegation zone, in 19th with 22 points.
A victory for Leeds will take them to 14th in the league, provided the other results go in their favour, which will give them some breathing space.
The Whites must focus on their own game plans. They have been solid in defence under Marsch and that approach is unlikely to change on Saturday.
It will be interesting to see how the Whites shape up with Marsch could be tempted to start with exciting forward Joe Gelhardt.
In other Leeds United news, Mark Lawrenson has predicted the score for Leeds’ clash with Watford.