Leeds travel to Vicarage Road to take on Watford, hoping to pick up three points in their chase for the Championship title and automatic promotion.
Date: 29/03/24
Kick-off time: 20:00
Venue: Vicarage Road
Combining their excellent form and Leicester’s struggles, Leeds have been able to erase a 17-point deficit at the top of the table from New Year’s Day to overtake the Foxes on goal difference. With eight games remaining, Leeds are in a strong position to return to the top flight automatically. However, Leicester have a game in hand, so a win will be crucial to keep them at bay. Defeat could see them drop back to second, but also open the door for Ipswich to jump ahead, as they are just a point behind.
Watford have recently appointed a new manager, with Tom Cleverley taking over on an interim basis. They have played two games under his management, winning and losing one. It has left them 13th in the table with 48 points. Despite enduring a terrible run of form, in which they have only won two in eleven, they are in no immediate danger of relegation, and are also not close to competing for a playoff spot. This means they do not have much to play for but pride, and under new coaching they could cause Leeds some problems.
Defensively, Watford have not conceded more than one goal four times in the last six, and have kept a pair of clean sheets. Leeds have seen a slight decline in their attacking exploits, scoring six in their last four games. Before this, they had found the net at least twice in six games in a row. However, after recording back-to-back 2-0 wins, they should be confident of doing so again this weekend. Leeds have three players who have scored more than 10 goals, with Crysencio Summerville, Daniel James and Joel Piroe combining for 38. Georginio Rutter has excelled in a playmaking role, assisting 16 times. If Watford are to threaten, this will likely come from Mileta Rajovic, who tops the club’s scoring charts with nine goals.
These two teams have met seven times since 2014 across various competitions. The first three came in the Championship, and they were all won by Watford with the games producing a combined 13 goals. The Hornets also won an FA Cup Fifth Round tie 1-0 in 2016. Leeds are on a three-game winning streak against their opponents, scoring seven and conceding zero. The reverse fixture earlier this season was a 3-0 victory. All of the goals came in the second half with Piroe, Sam Byram and Jaidon Anthony on the scoresheet.
Championship 
