Leeds United will begin the Championship home straight with tonight’s game at Watford, on which the club’s fans are practically unanimous.
Here’s what our YEP Jury had to say about this evening’s match at Vicarage Road, including predicted league table adjustments and upcoming’ support act’ opportunities.
Neil Grewer.
After doing the seemingly impossible and having the better part of two weeks to enjoy being top of the league, I believe we will kick off at Watford, having ceded top spot earlier in the day – but I expect to be back in pole position after 90 minutes.
Team selection will have an impact on tonight’s 8 p.m. kickoff. Georginio Rutter is doubtful, which opens up opportunities for others. I believe Joel Piroe is the favourite, but other options to start or join the fray later in the number 10 role include Joe Gelhardt, Crysencio Summerville, and Mateo Joseph, with the latter almost certainly getting a run out at some point.
Junior Firpo is also doubtful to play; Sam Bryam will almost certainly replace him at left-back, while Connor Roberts and Archie Gray will compete for the right-back spot, depending on health. The above adjustments and alternatives demonstrate the squad’s skill and depth, and these support acts will have the opportunity to prove their worth in the coming weeks. Our depth should provide us with plenty of opportunities to win the game.
Prediction: Watford 1, Leeds United 2.
Andy Rhodes
With the conclusion of the season’s final international break, the business end of the league campaign officially begins. Leeds United hasn’t always had something to play for at this time of year, but in five of the last six seasons, they’ve been competing for promotion or relegation in the weeks coming up to May.
Daniel Farke has asked us to judge him based on this time period. His team has been nearly faultless thus far in 2024, and a continuation of that record from here is critical. Farke may have to rejig his starting lineup due to injuries and recent international duty.
Much will depend on Georginio Rutter’s availability following minor surgery. Farke would hope that Dan James’ confidence didn’t take too much of a knock after Wales failed to qualify for the Euro 2024 finals because, if Leeds have had anything in plenty this season, it has been a confident approach. Win at Watford tonight and Leeds should ensure there is no break in their momentum. Prediction: Watford 1 Leeds United 2.
DAVID WATKINS
So we start again, this time with a straight dash to the finish line. Eight games will determine whether we advance automatically or must play two, or even three, more games in the dreaded play-offs.
It’s in our hands: win all eight and we’ll be safely in the top two. First and foremost, this appears to be a straightforward game. Watford are solidly in mid-table, unlikely to be caught up in the relegation battle but also unlikely to make the top six.
On that basis, you’d expect it to be less difficult than the last three games, all of which featured relegation-threatened teams fighting for their survival. The only concern is a statistical one: having won 12 of 13 league games since the turn of the year, we will undoubtedly stumble at least once in these final eight. For that reason alone, I anticipate Watford will take a few of points away from us – but I hope not!
We also hope that the Welsh players will swiftly forget their midweek failure to qualify for the Euros.
Prediction: Watford 2 Leeds United 2.
Keith Ingham
On Tuesday, Wales suffered a painful setback when Dan James missed the fifth penalty in a shootout against Poland after the game ended 0-0. Daniel Farke will be hoping that all of his international players return injury-free.
Junior Firpo, who returned late from his international debut with the Dominican Republic, may force him to make at least one change. Sam Byram is anticipated to take his place as left back. He will also hope that Georginio Rutter has recovered from his hernia surgery. If he has not, Joel Piroe will most likely fill in at number 10. The remainder practically chooses itself based on their form.
Watford fired manager Valerian Ismael after losing at home to Coventry. Tom Cleverley has taken interim command. The former Manchester United player was the Under-18s coach. He retired from playing in 2023. Since 2018, eleven coaches/managers have been hired; this does not appear to be a location where you would expect to stay for long.
Will the late kick-off make it easier or more difficult for Leeds to reclaim their position at the top of the table? I’m hoping for a win to reclaim first place in the league before the Easter break.
Prediction: Watford 0 Leeds United 2.
MIKE GILL
Leeds United might be in third place before kickoff tonight, despite spending so much time at the top of the table. Nonetheless, they understand exactly what they need to do to keep their rightful standing, and this is an excellent opportunity to put further pressure on our competitors, regardless of the outcome.
The EFL may appear to be very proper by playing all of the games at the same time on the final day of the season, but the cynics among us feel that this is more down to Sky Sports scheduling, given there is no sign of this on Friday or several other days before the season ends.
After their excellent victory against Millwall, the Whites travel south to face Watford. Valerien Ismael was the most recent victim of the Pozzo family’s ‘hire them and fire them’ approach, and interim manager Tom Cleverly led a 1-0 victory over Birmingham City the previous time out. Let’s hope the ‘new management bounce’ is finally over and the Whites can get back to winning ways.
Prediction: Watford 0 Leeds United 3.
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