Leeds vs Watford predictions: Whites can make it hot for Hornets
- Leeds welcome Watford to Elland Road on the back of three-straight clean sheets
- Watford have won only one of their last seven in all competitions
- Recommended bet: Leeds to win by one goal
Eighteen months after these two met in the Premier League, Leeds and Watford will lock horns in the Championship on Saturday and both are craving wins to get into the promotion frame.
Leeds emerged from the midweek programme in ninth place on 10 points, one point better off than the Hornets.
With seven drawn matches between them, it's quite likely this reunion of recent top-flight fall guys will be a close-run thing.
Team news
Willy Gnonto rolled his ankle in the 0-0 draw at Hull and is set to be replaced by Crysencio Summerville in the Leeds starting XI.
Joe Rodon is suspended after being sent off at the MKM Stadium so Liam Cooper should pip Charlie Cresswell for the role alongside Pascal Struijk in central defence.
Junior Firpo and Patrick Bamford are both fit and training again, but Daniel Farke appears hesitant to rush either player back. Right-back Djed Spence (knee) remains a big miss.
Left-sided bomber Ken Sema is still out for Watford, but Jamal Lewis is fit again if Valerien Ismael wants to rest James Morris.
Mattie Pollock is standing by to play centre-back if Ryan Porteous fails to shake off a knock, although Francisco Sierralta is another option in that area.
The stats
Leeds' 0-0 draw at Hull on Wednesday was their fifth in nine matches in all competitions and their fourth in the Championship, the joint highest. They have drawn all three of their home games this season.
The Whites have won just two of their last 16 league matches.
Watford are one of only two sides — Coventry are the other — who have yet to be trailing at half-time in a match. They were last behind at the break 11 games ago.
Only Southampton have fired off more shots per game than Watford (16.7).
Prediction
Given the number of chances these sides create there's an obvious claim for a goals bet to be struck.
Watford are averaging 16.7 shots per game — only Southampton rank higher — and Leeds are averaging 15.4.
Yet those chances are not being taken and Leeds have been involved in two 0-0 draws in their last three matches.
Concentrating on the game itself and again, the evidence supporting a bet on either side is not overly compelling.
Leeds are at least unbeaten in six in all competitions and are on a run of three-straight clean sheets.
Watford, on the other hand, have won just once since the opening weekend and they needed Birmingham to go down to 10 men before they scored the goals that beat the Blues 2-0.
Last time out they took an early lead at home to West Brom — 20-odd minutes later the score was 2-2. They make chances but they have a soft belly that other teams can expose.
Leeds are arguably in the better shape of the two and therefore get the nod, but if the hosts are to win, it may be by just a one-goal margin.
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