Leeds United v Watford match preview
Feb 13, 2006
Author: Iceman

A buzzing Watford travel to face Leeds United on Tuesday, and will come up against a very strong side looking to advance their own claims for promotion glory. However, whilst a trip to Elland Road may be a dauting prospect for many sides in this division, The Hornets should show no fear on the back of a terrific away record this season and a scintilating recent run of form. The clinical 4-0 dispatching of Coventry was Watford's sixth consecutive league victory, and leaves them just two wins short of a club record.

Leeds will be in no mood to help The Hornets towards this feat, however, with their own need for all three points having been heightened by their failure to see off Derby County at the weekend. With an extra game in hand over both Watford and Sheffield United, The Whites are still firmly in the hunt for second place in the table, and with The Blades facing a tough test at home against the seemingly invincible Reading, both sides know that this could be a big opportunity to make up some ground.

Watford go into the game without the services of two key players, Clarke Carlisle and Matthew Spring, who are prevented from playing by the terms of their summer moves to Vicarage Road from Leeds. Although the former has been on the bench in recent matches, he is still a very valuable option to have in the matchday squad, whilst Spring has been a key component in the Watford midfield this season and will be the greater loss on the night. However, this presents another opportunity for young revelation Al Bangura to enhance his rapidly growing reputation in the middle of the pitch. He has shown a greater maturity in his performances over the course of the season, and, along with captain Gavin Mahon, will look to stifle the creative influence of Jonathan Douglas and Liam Miller in The Whites' 3-man midfield. The only other absentee should be Dominic Blizzard, with Mahon and winger Chris Eagles likely to shake off knocks from recent games.

The hosts will be missing a number of longer-term absentees, namely Eirik Bakke, Frazer Richardson, Matthew Kilgallon and Steve Stone. There are also doubts over the availability of Leeds' four main strikers, with David Healy, Richard Cresswell, Rob Hulse and Robbie Blake all suffering various knocks recently. However, Healy seems to be fit to play after his foot injury was revealed to be just severe bruising and not a break, whilst Blake and Hulse passed late fitness tests to pair up against Derby. Cresswell is likely to need an operation on his knee injury, but this may be delayed until after Tuesday's match to allow him to face The Hornets, although a place on the bench is most likely. Australian winger Joel Griffiths (brother of ex-Hornet Adam) has returned to Australia to sort out his work permit, and will therefore still not feature.

Leeds are likely to continue with their 4-3-3 formation, with Douglas, Miller and Shaun Derry making up the middle three, and Hulse, Healy and Eddie Lewis likely to lead the attack. The Whites' experienced defensive unit includes four players who are into their thirties: Neil Sullivan, Gary Kelly, Sean Gregan and Paul Butler. Stephen Crainey fills the left-back role after edging summer signing Dan Harding out of the role.

Watford meanwhile are likely to stick with their usual 4-4-2 formation that has been so successful, with Bangura coming into the midfield and Eagles likely to take over from Anthony McNamee on the flank. Toumani Digouraga and Adrian Mariappa will contest the final spot on the bench. The rest of the team should be unchanged.

Verdict: Whilst Watford really need to win as many games as possible to remain in with a chance of catching Sheffield United, a draw from this encounter would still be an impressive result, considering Leeds' very strong home record. However, with the pace, skill and strength The Hornets possess in attacking positions, a victory is by no means out of the equation. Despite Watford's recent prolific form in front of goal, this is likely to be a much tighter encounter, with a goal either way possibly settling the contest.

Probable teams:

United: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Crainey, Miller, Douglas, Derry, Healy, Hulse, Lewis.

Subs from: Bennett, Pugh, Einarsson, Walton, Blake, Cresswell, Moore.

Watford: Foster, Doyley, Mackay, DeMerit, Stewart, Eagles, Bangura, Mahon, Young, Henderson, King.

Subs from: Chamberlain, Mariappa, Chambers, Diagouraga, McNamee, Bouazza.

Referee: M J Jones

A bit of stick for: Paul Butler. The former Sunderland defender who ruined Gifton Noel-Williams' career with Watford following a terrible tackle in The Hornets' 1998/1999 promotion season. Gifton was never the same player again. Watford supporters will show Butler that they still haven't forgotten that incident.

Prediction: Leeds United 1 Watford 1