Premier League: Leeds Can Counter The Hornets’ Sting

Watford FC vs Leeds United

All eyes will be on Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon for a North South clash with big implications for the league and the two teams involved.

Premier League: Watford vs Leeds United brings together two clubs still embroiled in the relegation battle but the Whites are in a significantly stronger position, currently in 16^th place and eight points clear of Watford in 18th; though they have an eye on Burnley, down in 19^th but with three games in hand (before the Clarets play Everton on Wednesday night).

So the Whites need to pick up another couple of wins to survive, for a second season in succession, and that may give the Elland Road club the foundations to become a force in the top flight once more. The Hornets have been a yo-yo club in recent years and survival is the only thing on their minds. 

Watford come in to the game on the back of a 2-0 defeat to title chasing Liverpool while Leeds drew 1-1 at home to Southampton and the latest Watford vs Leeds United betting odds say this will be another tight contest.

Talking Points

Watford’ s tall order

Roy Hodgson was drafted in to Vicarage Road with the quest of keeping the club in the top flight and he is a man with plenty of experience in the lower reaches of the Premier League, with proven success at other London teams including Crystal Palace and Fulham. He knows how to set up a team to grind out points but his club has a tough fixture list to come, so Saturday’s clash with Leeds is crucial. The Hornets put up a strong resistance to a rampant Liverpool side which has closed the gap at the top of the table to one point and are chasing an historic double. After Diogo Jota had given the Reds a 22^nd minute lead Watford kept them at bay until the 89^th minute when Fabinho converted a penalty to make it 2-0. After this game the Hornets still have Brentford, Burnley and Everton to play, but their relegation rivals will be fighting for their lives and, with other clashes against Manchester City, Chelsea and Leicester to play it will be hard to pick up points.

But they have found a solid balance with a tougher defence to break down and some exciting players in attack. Emmanuel Dennis with nine goals, seven yellow cards and five assists is an all action operator, while Ismaila Sarr, with seven goals, has pace to burn.

Beat Leeds and Watford could be on track for an amazing escape. 

Marsch has Leeds playing as a team

After a difficult start to his tenure at Elland Road Jesse Marsch has guided Leeds closer to safety,  turning the worst defence in the league into a more reliable group, conceding a respectable four goals in the last three games; while the attacking players continue to play with ambition and a hunger for goals. Brazil winger Raphinha with nine goals and three assists has been the standout star and he is being closely watched by Barcelona, who’s former player Ronaldinho is a big admirer of his countryman. Barca were apparently hoping they could lure Raphinha for a fee of around £35m but, on this form he’ll cost a lot more than that. Alongside the Brazilian, young creative midfielders Jack Harrison, who has added six goals and Daniel James are quick-footed over 50 yards and in tight spots.  

This is an exciting team which is easy on the eye, but they still have work to do, not helped by the continued absence of key players Patrick Bamford and Kalvin Phillips, while wing back Junior Firpo has also been added to the injury list. 

History

There is little to choose between the two teams in terms of head to head Watford vs Leeds United results, with the Whites just in front at eight wins to seven and there have been five draws in all meetings since the turn of the century.

Leeds won the return match 1-0 when centre back Diego Llorente converted from a corner while the Hornets had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build up.

In terms of recent form the visitors have the edge. Watford have one win, one draw and four defeats from the last four games, while Leeds have two wins a draw and three defeats.

Betting Tip

Leeds are marginal favourites at a price of 2.53 to win, with Watford at SBOTOP odds of 2.66 and the draw is at 3.01.

Both teams have good points …and both are fallible. I can see them cancelling each other out with a repeat of Leeds’ last outcome – the 1-1 draw with the Saints.

 

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