Leeds vs Watford: TV channel, live stream, team news & prediction
Leeds United return to action against Watford on Saturday still looking for their first Premier League win of the season.
Marcelo Bielsa’s Whites have picked up just three points from their opening six games, drawing three and losing three – including their most recent match, a 2-1 defeat to West Ham at Elland Road that had seen Leeds take the lead through Raphinha.
Visitors Watford are slowly getting into their top flight stride, and have one of the division’s form players in Ismaila Sarr. Seven points isn’t a bad return for manager Xisco Munoz, who finds his Hornets side sitting comfortably in mid-table.
Here’s 90min’s preview of the game.
When is kick off? Saturday 2 October, 17:30 (BST)
Where is the match being played? Elland Road
TV channel/live stream? Final Score (BBC – UK), Soccer Saturday (Sky Sports – UK), fuboTV (US), DAZN (Canada)
Highlights? Sky Sports YouTube Channel (UK) Match of the Day (BBC – UK)
Referee? Simon Hooper
VAR? Lee Mason
Leeds still have a number of injury problems to contend with, namely in defence.
Bielsa has confirmed that Luke Ayling needs minor surgery on his knee, while Diego Llorente and Robin Koch are also sidelined. Fortunately, Pascal Struijk is available again after suspension, meaning young Charlie Cresswell may make way despite an impressive debut showing.
The other big blow for Leeds comes up front as Patrick Bamford is likely to be out for a number of weeks. That should see Rodrigo lead the line once more, with Raphinha and Daniel James supporting out wide.
Watford will be without midfielder Peter Etebo after he tore a quadricep muscle late on against Newcastle at Vicarage Road.
That injury will rule him out for a number of months, but there is better news for goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann – he’s back in full training after shaking off a knee complaint. Tom Cleverley should also be in the squad after passing concussion protocols following a blow to the face.
Leeds (4-3-3): Meslier, Shackleton, Struijk, Cooper; Firpo; Phillips, Dallas, Klich; Raphinha, James, Rodrigo.
Watford (4-3-3): Bachmann, Feminia, Troost-Ekong, Cathcart, Rose; Sissoko, Tufan, Cleverley; Sarr, King, Dennis.
Leeds‚ boisterous home support saw a decent performance against West Ham, but the same old fragilities that have haunted Bielsa’s side at the back struck again late on.
Injuries are certainly not helping, while the absence of Bamford up front is clearly a big miss goals wise. Watford, meanwhile, look very menacing on the counter, and boast an exceptionally quick front three in the shape of Sarr, Josh King and Emmanuel Dennis.
The Hornets need to improve defensively but have shown a resilience about them this season. Could be honours even.
Prediction: Leeds 1-1 Watford