Watfordvs.Leeds

Leeds are top of the Championship table, two points ahead of second-placed Sheffield United, while Watford are 10th, three points outside of the playoff spots in the second tier of English football.

Match preview

Watford have not won in the Championship since January 18, and they headed into Saturday's clash with Sunderland off the back of three straight defeats to Preston North End, Coventry City and Norwich City.

The Hornets will enter this match off the back of a positive result, though, drawing 2-2 with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, and they came incredibly close to securing all three points.

Indeed, Tom Cleverley's side led until the 89th minute, when Dennis Cirkin levelled the scores, but it was still a step in the right direction for Watford, who are 10th in the table, three points behind sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers.

The Hornets have a record of 12 wins, six draws and 13 defeats from their 31 league matches this season, and despite being close to a playoff spot, they are also only two points ahead of 14th-placed Millwall.

Watford have been strong in front of their own fans this season, picking up 29 points from 15 matches, while Leeds have the fourth-best away record, collecting 25 points from their 15 games on their travels.

Leeds were knocked out of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon, suffering a 2-0 defeat to Millwall, but they are unbeaten in the Championship since the end of November.

The Whites have won four of their last five Championship matches, including a 7-0 success over Cardiff City at the start of the month, and they are currently top of the table, two points clear of second-placed Sheffield United.

Daniel Farke's side are five points ahead of five-placed Burnley, meanwhile, while they are comfortably in the top six, sitting 22 points clear of seventh-placed Middlesbrough.

Leeds are the highest goalscorers in the second tier this season, finding the back of the net on 62 occasions, while they have the second-best defensive record behind Burnley, conceding only 19 times.

The Whites are unbeaten in their last five games against Watford in all competitions, including a 2-1 victory when the two teams locked horns at Elland Road for the reverse match back in October.

Watford Championship form:

D

W

L

L

L

D

Leeds United Championship form:

D

W

W

D

W

W

Leeds United form (all competitions):

W

W

D

W

W

L

Team News

Watford will be without the services of Kwadwo Baah, Pierre Dwomoh and Daniel Bachmann for Tuesday's contest.

Rocco Vata and Caleb Wiley are also major doubts, but Vakoun Bayo is set to return to the squad after missing out against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon due to a suspension.

Bayo's return is big news for Watford, with the 28-year-old scoring 10 times in 30 appearances this season, while there should again be a spot in the XI for Giorgi Chakvetadze.

As for Leeds, Patrick Bamford remains out with a hamstring problem, but the visitors are otherwise in excellent shape.

Head coach Farke rung the changes for the FA Cup clash against Millwall on Saturday, but the team's squad players were unable to make their mark, and the big-hitters will be back for this contest.

Joel Piroe has scored 13 times in 33 appearances this season, and the 25-year-old will lead the line, while there will once again be spots in the final third of the field for Brenden Aaronson, Daniel James and Manor Solomon.

Watford possible starting lineup:

Selvik; Andrews, Abankwah, Pollock, Larouci; Louza, Dele-Bashiru; Sissoko, Kayembe, Chakvetadze; Bayo

Leeds United possible starting lineup:

Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Ampadu, Firpo; Tanaka, Gruev; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe

We say: Watford 1-1 Leeds United

Leeds have drawn seven of their 15 away Championship matches this season, and they will be coming against a Watford side that have only been beaten four times on home soil in the league this term; Leeds have been the best side in the Championship so far this season, but we are expecting them to drop two points here.

Written by

Matt Law

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