Match Pack: Leeds United v Watford

• Leeds United v Watford
• Sky Bet Championship
• Elland Road
• Saturday September 23, 3pm KO
• Yellow and black home kit

• Referee: Jeremy Simpson
• Assistant Referees: Jonathan Hunt and Andrew Dallison
• Fourth Official: David Webb

After a busy summer transfer window at Elland Road, which saw plenty of outgoings as Leeds United looked to rebuild following relegation from the Premier League, the Whites have begun to pick up form under new boss Daniel Farke.

Having only lost once – a 1-0 defeat to Birmingham City in the second match of the campaign – Leeds put three past Millwall to secure a memorable victory last weekend, followed by a goalless draw against Hull City during midweek.

• In the Championship, Leeds have lost each of their last three league games against Watford, as many as in their previous 14 second-tier games against the Golden Boys (W5 D6).

• The Hornets have lost only two of their last nine league games (W3 D4), scoring at least two goals in six of those matches, including each of their last three outings (W1 D2 – 7 goals).

• Leeds are unbeaten in their last five league games (W2 D3), keeping a clean sheet in their previous three matches – their longest such run since doing so in the Premier League in July 2020.

For a full statistical breakdown, check out Stats Buzz: Leeds United In Numbers.

Ryan Porteous faces a late fitness test after being forced off with a knock in the second half against West Bromwich Abion on Wednesday, and missing training on Thursday.

For Leeds, Joe Rodon will miss out having picked up a red card in their 0-0 draw with Hull City last time out, while forward Wilfried Gnonto is also absent through injury.

Valérien Ismaël, Watford Head Coach:

“We have shown that we can score goals and dominate the opponent, our problem has been that the opponent remains alive because of our mistakes. Our challenge is to cut out those mistakes, cut the opponent’s belief that they can score goals against us, and learn how to do things better.

“I’m looking forward to the game, to playing a side who were in the Premier League last season and who have big ambitions. We are a team who are able to stand up to a team like Leeds, we are able to perform and that is what we want to do. We will give everything to win the game tomorrow.”

Click HERE to see Ismaël’s full pre-match press conference.

Daniel Farke, Leeds United Head Coach:

“Watford are good counter-attacking, but they are also aggresive with their pressing so I’m very respectful of them. They are one of the teams who will be looking to be in the top six by next May and they have a very experienced coach, so we know we’ll have to be at our best in order to win the points.

“He’s [Valérien Ismaël] a great guy, we did our badges together in Germany. We’ve come up against each other in the Championship before, he’s a great coach and I’m always happy when I see him.”

Overall:

Won: 11
Drawn: 6
Lost: 10

Last Six:

April 2022: Watford 0-3 Leeds United (Premier League)
October 2021: Leeds United 1-0 Watford (Premier League)
February 2016: Watford 1-0 Leeds United (FA Cup)
February 2015: Leeds United 2-3 Watford (Championship)
August 2014: Watford 4-1 Leeds United (Championship)
April 2014: Watford 3-0 Leeds United (Championship)

One of Watford’s most memorable away victories came against the Whites in November 2012, when Gianfranco Zola’s Hornets notched six - courtesy of Matěj Vydra (2), Almen Abdi, Mark Yeates, Sean Murray and Troy Deeney - at Elland Road.