Leeds United v Watford preview: Team news, head-to-head, where to watch, lineups, prediction
Leeds United host Watford at Elland Road in the Championship on Tuesday (22 October) as Daniel Farke looks to build on the 2-0 win against Sheffield United.
The Whites climbed to third in the league table after the win over their Yorkshire rivals on Friday (18 October) and currently trail leaders Sunderland by three points.
Preview
Watford have struggled to find a consistent run of form in the Championship this season under Tom Cleverley and will face a tough test to return to winning ways at Elland Road after the 3-0 loss to Luton Town on the weekend.
Farke kickstarted his side’s campaign with a monumental Yorkshire derby win against Sheffield United, meanwhile, and will have his sights firmly set on claiming the top spot in the league table in midweek.
Pascal Struijk and Mateo Joseph were the heroes on the night and, with Daniel James and Manor Solomon returning to the matchday squad, the Whites finally welcome back depth in the attacking ranks.
Leeds have been somewhat inconsistent in the league thus far but, had Illan Meslier prevented a last-minute goal in the 2-2 draw against Sunderland, the side would be sitting at the summit of the Championship one point clear of Burnley in second place.
Only three points separate the sides heading into the clash at Elland Road. If Cleverley can manufacture a shock victory for the visitors, Watford will be propelled into promotion contention.
Farke has been the subject of mounting pressure at Leeds after an inconsistent start, leading to questions on his ability to lead the side back to the Premier League, but the win over Sheffield United looks like a turning point.
Form guide [Championship]
Leeds United: WDDWW
Watford: LWLWL
Head-to-Head [all competitions]
Watford 2-2 Leeds United [29 March 2024]
Leeds United 3-0 Watford [29 September 2023]
Watford 0-3 Leeds United [9 April 2022]
Leeds United 1-0 Watford [2 October 2021]
Watford 1-0 Leeds United [20 February 2016]
Team News
Leeds welcomed back attacking duo James and Solomon against Sheffield United, with the pair gaining some much-needed minutes from the bench.
Ethan Ampadu is still a while away from returning to the side as he continues his rehabilitation from a reported 10-week layoff, while Ilia Gruev is also ruled out for the match against Watford.
Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka will be expected to resume their partnership in central midfield as the Whites’ search for midfield reinforcements continues.
Max Wober is another long-term absentee for the hosts as he will remain on the sidelines until mid-November, with Struijk and Joe Rodon the only two senior centre-back options available.
For Watford, centre-back Kevin Keben is the only notable absentee for the trip to Elland Road as the supporters await his Hornets debut.
Predicted lineups
Leeds United: Meslier, Bogle, Struijk, Rodon, Firpo, Tanaka, Rothwell, James, Aaronsen, Gnonto, Joseph
Watford: Bachmann, Sierralta, Ogbonna, Porteous, Andrews, Kayembe, Sissoko, Dele-Bashiru, Esbosele, Jebbison, Bayo
Where to watch?
The match at Elland Road kicks off at 7:45pm GMT on 21 October and will be live on Sky Sports Football and Sky Sports+, as well as the Sky Go app.
Prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Watford
The Whites will still be on a high following the win against Sheffield United and should use the momentum to record a comfortable victory at Elland Road.
Watford are by no means an easy opponent and will put up a fight but, on paper, the sides are seemingly outmatched and the hosts should edge the contest as the superior side.
While a blowout will be the overall consensus heading into the match, a far more cagier affair is predicted to unfold at Elland Road and Leeds will need to be at their best to continue their quick rise up the Championship table.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites have been told to decide on Patrick Bamford as a January transfer is mooted.
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