Wilfried Gnonto

Watford vs Leeds United Preview, Prediction and Betting Tips | EFL Championship

Arnav Kholkar

Watford vs Leeds United Match Preview

Watford vs Leeds United will take place in the EFL Championship at Vicarage Road as the 13th placed side host the second-placed team.

The hosts will enter this game on the back of a poor run of form. They have won just two of their last eight games, losing five and drawing one of the rest. In that span, they have conceded 12 goals and scored eight as they continue their search for consistency. Watford ended their four-game winless run with a 1-0 win away at Birmingham in their last game. They will look for a few more positive results between now and the end of the season to try and climb into the top half.

The visitors, on the other hand, enter this game on the back of a solid run of form. They have lost just once in their last eight games across competitions, winning six and drawing one of the remainder. They have scored an impressive 17 goals in this run and have conceded just five goals as they have been water-tight at the back. Unbeaten in their last four, with their last outing being a 2-0 win against Millwall, Leeds will look to extend their run to maintain pace with Leicester City.

With that said, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.

Team News

Watford

Watford manager Tom Cleverley. (Getty Images)

Manager Tom Cleverley will have a very short injury list to deal with ahead of this game. Winger Kwadwo Baah is the only player certain to miss the game after picking up a hamstring injury in January. Apart from that, the rest of the squad is available for selection.

Midfielder Jake Livermore has picked up nine yellow cards this season and faces the risk of being suspended for two games should he pick up another.

Leeds United

Manager Daniel Farke will have a very short injury list to deal with as well. Defender Pascal Struijk is the only player who will miss the next game having picked up a groin injury in December. The rest of the squad is fit and available for selection.

Winger Daniel James has picked up four yellow cards already and will be suspended for one match should he pick up another.

Predicted Lineups

Watford

Cleverley will retain the same combination he used in the last game.

Predicted XI: Daniel Bachmann (C) (GK); Ryan Andrews, Ryan Porteous, Matthew Pollock, James Morris; Edo Kayembe, Tom Dele-Bashiru; Yaser Asprilla, Ismael Kone, Giorgi Chakvetadze; Emmanuel Dennis.

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Leeds United

Farke, too, will use the same lineup he  has used in the last few games.

Predicted XI: Illan Meslier (GK); Archie Gray, Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu (C), Junior Firpo; Glen Kamara, Ilia Gruev; Wilfried Gnonto, Georginio Rutter, Crysencio Summerville; Patrick Bamford.

Watford vs Leeds United Head-to-Head Record

These two teams have faced each other several times in the last few years. Both teams have been in and out of the Premier League and Championship but there has been little to separate the two when they meet. Leeds have won three while Watford have won two of the last five meetings.

Last 5 Games

  • Leeds 3-0 Watford (09/23)
  • Watford 0-3 Leeds (04/22)
  • Leeds 1-0 Watford (10/21)
  • Watford 1-0 Leeds (02/16)
  • Leeds 2-3 Watford (02/15)
Watford vs Leeds United
Watford vs Leeds United ended in a 3-0 win for the Whites last time. (Getty Images)

Prediction

Considering the two teams’ positions in the table and their recent form, Leeds United are firm favourites to win this one. They have also won the last three games without conceding, which only strengthens their case.

Prediction: Watford 0-3 Leeds United.

Betting Tips & Odds

Both teams have not scored in four of the last five meetings between these two teams. Leeds have been on the good side of these results in each of the last three, scoring seven without reply. They are likely to continue their dominant run over Watford.

In general, Leeds have kept clean sheets in each of their last three league games and are favourites to do so again.

Tips

  • Both Teams to Score – No: 1.98
  • Leeds Total – Over 2.5 Goals: 2.60
  • Correct Score – Watford 0-3 Leeds: 10.50

Match Odds

  • Watford Win: 6.20
  • Draw: 4.50
  • Leeds Win: 1.50

Watford vs Leeds United Timings & Telecast

  • Date & Time: Friday, 29th March at 8:00 PM (GMT).
  • India: FanCode app & website.
  • UK: Sky Sports.
  • US: Hulu.

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