Watford vs Leeds United Prediction & Betting Tips

Leeds travel to Vicarage Road to take on Watford, hoping to pick up three points in their chase for the Championship title and automatic promotion.

• Leeds to Win @ -190 With FanDuel
• Both Teams to Score @ -134 With FanDuel
• Over 2.5 goals @ -136 With FanDuel

These odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

• Date: 29/03/24
• Kick-off time: 20:00
• Venue: Vicarage Road

Combining their excellent form and Leicester’s struggles, Leeds have been able to erase a 17-point deficit at the top of the table from New Year’s Day to overtake the Foxes on goal difference. With eight games remaining, Leeds are in a strong position to return to the top flight automatically. However, Leicester have a game in hand, so a win will be crucial to keep them at bay. Defeat could see them drop back to second, but also open the door for Ipswich to jump ahead, as they are just a point behind.

Watford have recently appointed a new manager, with Tom Cleverley taking over on an interim basis. They have played two games under his management, winning and losing one. It has left them 13th in the table with 48 points. Despite enduring a terrible run of form, in which they have only won two in eleven, they are in no immediate danger of relegation, and are also not close to competing for a playoff spot. This means they do not have much to play for but pride, and under new coaching they could cause Leeds some problems.

Defensively, Watford have not conceded more than one goal four times in the last six, and have kept a pair of clean sheets. Leeds have seen a slight decline in their attacking exploits, scoring six in their last four games. Before this, they had found the net at least twice in six games in a row. However, after recording back-to-back 2-0 wins, they should be confident of doing so again this weekend. Leeds have three players who have scored more than 10 goals, with Crysencio Summerville, Daniel James and Joel Piroe combining for 38. Georginio Rutter has excelled in a playmaking role, assisting 16 times. If Watford are to threaten, this will likely come from Mileta Rajovic, who tops the club’s scoring charts with nine goals.

These two teams have met seven times since 2014 across various competitions. The first three came in the Championship, and they were all won by Watford with the games producing a combined 13 goals. The Hornets also won an FA Cup Fifth Round tie 1-0 in 2016. Leeds are on a three-game winning streak against their opponents, scoring seven and conceding zero. The reverse fixture earlier this season was a 3-0 victory. All of the goals came in the second half with Joel Piroe, Sam Byram and Jaidon Anthony on the scoresheet.

Watford Team News

Jeremy Ngakia has a knee injury which may keep him out until the middle of next month. Watford have no new injury concerns otherwise.

Leeds Team News

Pascal Struijk remains out with a groin injury. Jamie Shackleton has also been absent with an illness. Stuart Dallas continues to recover from a broken leg sustained 18 months ago.

Watford Form Guide

In their last five games, Watford have won one, drawn one and lost three. As they switched managers once again, the Hornets are in the midst of a difficult run. However, under new interim boss Tom Cleverley they have won one and lost one. The victory came in their most recent game against Birmingham as they won 1-0. A 44th minute winner from Emmanuel Dennis proved the difference between the two teams.
The first game of this run was a 2-1 home loss against Huddersfield. They took the lead through Dennis, but the visitors turned it around late with a double from Danny Ward. Another narrow defeat followed, though they dominated possession in their 1-0 loss at Millwall. The winner came very early in the game as Zian Flemming broke the deadlock three minutes in. The following game was a 1-1 draw with Swansea. Their search for a win continued as they faced Coventry at Vicarage Road. A Ryan Porteous opener put Watford a goal up, but a brace from Haji Wright either side of half-time turned it around for the visitors in another disappointing defeat.

Leeds Form Guide

In their last five games, Leeds have won three, drawn one and lost one. Their only defeat came at the beginning of this run and it was in the FA Cup. They were knocked out by their rivals Chelsea in the Fifth Round, losing 3-2, though they gave a good account of themselves. Mateo Joseph scored the opener with the first goal of his young career, though this was soon cancelled by Nicolas Jackson. Mykhailo Mudryk gave the Blues the lead, but Joseph grabbed his second after the restart. The tie looked to be heading for extra-time, but Conor Gallagher popped up to score the winner in the 90th minute.
Their elimination meant that sole focus was on the Championship promotion chase, but their next game ended in a 1-1 draw at Huddersfield. The hosts broke the deadline in first half stoppage time, but had a man sent off a few minutes later. Leeds were able to take advantage of the extra man as Patrick Bamford scored the equaliser. This was as good as it got for the visitors, however, as they could not find the winner.
A three-game winning streak started with a 1-0 at home to Stoke City. It was an even game which the hosts just edged thanks to a Dan James winner in the first half. Another win followed against Sheffield Wednesday. Bamford and Wilfried Gnonto scored either side of the break to give them a 2-0 victory. They repeated this scoreline in their most recent outing as they beat Millwall. Gnonto and James were on the scoresheet again.

Watford are under new coaching staff, which could see them give Leeds some trouble, but the visitors should have too much for them as they fight for promotion. Expect both sides to score but Leeds to come away with victory – Watford 1-3 Leeds United

Watford vs Leeds United will be available to watch on the Peacock Network (An NBC live-streaming Platform)