Leeds United can take a huge step towards Premier League survival this afternoon with a win over 19 th place Watford. The Whites can move 11 points clear of today’s opponents if they are victorious at Vicarage Road and open up some clear daylight between themselves and the bottom three.
But at the bottom, it is crunch time for the Hornets and they will see this as a must-win given their current predicament in the league. Roy Hodgson’s side come into the meeting on the back of three consecutive matches on the road, where they won once and lost twice.
But in their last outing at title-hopefuls Liverpool, Watford produced a good performance, where on another day they could’ve left with at least a point. And even though Hodgson has a full squad of players to choose from, for that reason he is likely to go with an unchanged XI this afternoon.
READ MORE: Premier League headlines as Frank Lampard responds to Everton sack claims
Despite falling behind Daniel Bachmann in the pecking order last season, Ben Foster has firmly established himself as the club’s number one again in this campaign. He will likely start behind a back four of Kiko Femenia, Samir, Christian Kabesele and Hassane Kamara.
Watford have seemingly found their favoured midfield trio in the last two matches, where before their positive performance at Anfield, they won 2-1 at Southampton. Imran Louza, Moussa Sissoko, Juraj Kucka and it is highly likely that will be the case again, barring any late injuries.
It is in attack where Hodgson arguably faces the biggest selection headache. Cucho Hernandez and Ismaila Sarr seem certainties to start on either wing, but it is the man leading the line which is the biggest question.
Top scorer Emmanuel Dennis will be hoping for a recall after dropping to the bench last week, though Joao Pedro led the line well on Merseyside. Josh King is Hodgson’s other alternative in that position.
Predicted Watford XI (4-3-3): Foster; Femenia, Kabesele, Samir, Kamara; Sissoko, Lucka, Louza; Sarr, Pedro, Hernandez
