Leeds United welcome Watford to Elland Road in another six-pointer in the battle for Premier League promotion.
Leeds United will be looking to extend their strong start to the Championship season when they welcome Watford to Elland Road on Tuesday night. Leeds, currently third in the table with 19 points from their opening ten games, secured a confidence-boosting 2-0 win against Sheffield United in their last outing. In contrast, Watford will aim to bounce back after a heavy 3-0 loss to Luton Town left them sitting in eighth place with 16 points.
Leeds have shown why they are among the favourites for promotion, having conceded the third-fewest goals in the division (0.7 per game on average) while maintaining a strong offensive record with 1.7 goals per match.
Under the leadership of Daniel Farke, Leeds have been solid, picking up five wins from their last eight league matches, with their only defeat coming in a narrow 1-0 loss to second-placed Burnley. Moreover, the Peacocks will take confidence from their recent home form, winning their last two games at Elland Road.
Farke praised his team’s resilience after their win against Sheffield United, highlighting how his players limited the Blades to just one shot inside the box and no clear-cut chances. The manager will be keen for his side to carry their momentum into Tuesday’s clash as they look to secure their place in the top two of the table. Despite some early inconsistencies at home, Leeds appear to be finding their rhythm.
On the other side, Watford will be desperate to put their weekend defeat behind them. Their 3-0 loss to Luton Town exposed weaknesses in their away performances, having now lost their last four games on the road, conceding 11 goals and scoring just once.
Watford’s manager, Tom Cleverley, admitted that his side struggled to handle the pressure and failed to impose their identity in the game. Despite their overall struggles away from home, Cleverley will be looking for a reaction from his players as they aim to regain form.
In terms of goal threat, Leeds will be wary of Watford’s attack, which has managed 14 goals so far this season, but the Hornets’ leaky defence — conceding 17 times already — will be a concern for Cleverley. Watford’s patchy form on the road will also be a significant hurdle to overcome if they are to take any points from a Leeds side in strong form.
Team News & Tactics
Leeds United
Leeds United will have to cope without several key players for Tuesday’s match against Watford. Ethan Ampadu remains sidelined until January 2025 with a long-term injury, while defender Maximilian Wober is not expected back until mid-December.
Midfielder Ilia Gruev is another absentee, unavailable until later in November, which means Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell are set to continue in the double pivot role in midfield. Leeds will be relying on these players to provide stability in the middle of the park in front of their defence.
Leeds United will likely line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, a setup where Illan Meslier will continue in goal, commanding a defence consisting of Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo as full-backs, providing width and overlapping runs down the flanks. Central defenders Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk will be tasked with holding a solid defensive line, aiming to contain Watford’s attacking threats and build from the back with composure.
In midfield, the double-pivot of Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell will anchor the team. These two players are expected to sit deeper and protect the back four, breaking up Watford’s attacks while also offering progressive passing options to transition from defence to attack. Their roles are crucial in maintaining the team’s structure and ensuring that Leeds United do not get exposed defensively.
Further up the field, Brenden Aaronson will occupy the central attacking midfield role, providing creativity and linking play between the midfield and the front line. On the wings, Wilfried Gnonto and Largie Ramazani will provide pace, flair, and direct running, looking to stretch Watford’s defence and supply dangerous crosses into the box.
Joel Piroe will lead the attack. Piroe will be looking to make the most of his service from the wide areas and Aaronson’s creativity behind him, with his goalscoring instincts central to Leeds United’s chances of success in this match.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Tanaka, Rothwell; Gnonto, Aaronson, Ramazani; Piroe
Watford
Watford will likely set up in a 5-3-2 formation, a defensively solid structure designed to absorb pressure and hit Leeds United on the counter-attack.
In goal, Jonathan Bond will continue to be the last line of defense for the Hornets, protected by a back five. Ryan Andrews and Ken Sema will occupy the wing-back roles, providing defensive cover as well as the option to push forward when Watford have possession. At the heart of the defence, Mattie Pollock, Angelo Ogbonna, and Ryan Porteous will form a strong defensive trio, tasked with neutralizing Leeds’ attacking threats, particularly the movement of Joel Piroe.
In midfield, Moussa Sissoko will likely operate in a box-to-box role, combining his defensive skills with the ability to drive forward and support attacks. He will be flanked by Tom Dele-Bashiru and Tom Ince, who will help anchor the midfield while also providing forward passes and transitions from defence to attack.
Up front, Vakoun Issouf Bayo and Giorgi Chakvetadze will be the attacking pair, expected to lead the line with pace and power. They will be looking to exploit the spaces behind Leeds’ defence, with Chakvetadze likely dropping deeper to create and link up with the midfield, while Bayo provides the physical presence in the box.
With right-back Jeremy Ngakia sidelined until late October and centre-back Kevin Keben out until mid-November, Watford will rely on their available defensive depth to maintain a solid shape and ensure they remain competitive.
Probable Lineup (5-3-2): Bond; Andrews, Pollock, Ogbonna, Porteous, Sema; Sissoko, Dele-Bashiru, Ince; Bayo, Chakvetadze
Key Stats
- Leeds have one of the best defensive records in the Championship this season, conceding just seven goals in their first 10 matches. This gives them the joint third-best defensive record in the league, showcasing their defensive solidity under Daniel Farke.
- Watford have struggled on the road in recent times, losing their last four away matches in the Championship. They have conceded 11 goals in those four games while scoring just once, highlighting their poor away form.
- Leeds United have won their last two home matches at Elland Road, further boosting their impressive form. However, they did experience a rough patch earlier in the season, winning just one of their first four home games.
- Watford have conceded 17 goals in their first 10 Championship matches, giving them the joint-fifth worst defensive record in the league. They will need to tighten up their backline to prevent Leeds from exploiting their defensive weaknesses.
Player to Watch
Wilfried Gnonto
Wilfried Gnonto has been a standout performer for Leeds United this season. Known for his incredible pace, dribbling ability, and creative flair, Gnonto has been a constant threat down the flanks for the Peacocks. His ability to cut inside from wide positions and create goalscoring opportunities, either for himself or his teammates, makes him a key figure in Daniel Farke’s setup.
With Watford’s defensive injuries, Gnonto’s direct approach and trickery could be decisive in unlocking the visitors’ defence. Expect Gnonto to play a pivotal role in Leeds United’s attack on Tuesday night.
Prediction
Leeds United 2-0 Watford
Leeds United’s form, particularly at home, combined with Watford’s poor away results, makes the hosts favourites for this clash. Watford may struggle to contain a Leeds United side that is finding its attacking rhythm and performing well defensively. Expect a hard-fought game, but Leeds should have enough to claim a narrow victory. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 victory for Daniel Farke and his charges.
