clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Match Preview: Leeds United vs Watford

Watford

Position: 11th, 15 - 12 - 14 (57 points, +11 goal difference)

Recent form: WLLLD

Last meeting: Watford 0 - 1 Leeds United (August 28th, 2010)

wat

Simon Grayson's Leeds United will be looking to recover, from back to back defeats when they face Watford tomorrow at Elland Road. Tuesday's defeat to Derby County adds pressure to a Leeds side desperate to hold onto a play-off place. Watford on the other hand will be hoping results go their way, the Hornets sit in 11th place but are by no means out of the play-off race.

Anything can happen in the next five weeks, although Leeds look out of the automatic race, nothing is over until it is mathematically impossible. Leeds' best bet is through the play-offs, which we all know Leeds do not take too kindly to. Watford got one over United in the play-off final, something that Leeds fans will be thinking about come 3pm tomorrow afternoon.

Team News

Leeds trio Robert Snodgrass, George McCartney and Sanchez Watt all look set to miss the clash tomorrow, and will most likely be in contention for the Reading game next Friday evening. All three were absent from Tuesday's defeat to Derby County, but Grayson has a big squad to choose from, he might start to finally use it. Striker Billy Paynter will be back in contention after serving his suspension for apparently stamping/head-butting Shane Lowry in the game against Sheffield United.

Watford duo Micheal Bryan (thigh strain) and Dale Bennett (illness) are doubts for tomorrow, Stephen McGinn is the only long term concern for Watford boss Malky Mackay.

I am not going to bother with my guess at the line-up for tomorrow, I think Grayson needs to have serious look at his team and change a few things.

Man to watch

No real surprise here... Danny Graham has been deadly in front of goal for the Hornets this season, any sniff at goal and the hitman will no doubt dispatch with ease. Graham's performance's have brought 26 goals this season, and also seem him in contention to win the ESPN PFA Fans' Player of the Year award.

My prediction

Although Watford's recent form isn't the best, they can still cause opposition trouble, especially when the opposition can not defend (Leeds United). Watford are not 11th because of Danny Graham (his goals have helped A LOT), they are a strong side who will be looking for a result tomorrow, to increase their play-off chances. The Whites seem to have lost their nerve recently, and face five very difficult fixtures in the next few weeks. Grayson has to change things, at least to send a message to the players who are just not getting results. I think with a fresh team, and a home advantage Leeds can scrape through this one 2-1.

Follow Leedstheoffside on Twitter and on Facebook.