Watford vs Leeds Match Preview.
Watford face Leeds United today at Vicarage Road, as the golden boys look to build on their 0-2 away victory over Rotherham United in the week. Rumors of unrest among the Hornets squad, has been rife this week after Lloyd Dyers celebration on Tuesday night and Beppe Sannino’s future has been put into question. However, the Hornets and their fans need to forget about this and focus on achieving three points today as they look to continue their decent start to the season.
During the two matches between these sides last season, Troy Deeney equalised late on as the Golden Boys salvaged a 3-3 draw at Elland Road in December 2013 whilst Watford ran out comfortable 3-0 winners at Vicarage Road, in April 2014.
Leeds United are the opposition today at Vicarage Road and it has been something of a turbulent summer up in Yorkshire. Controversial Italian Massimo Cellino sealed his take over of the club and appointed former Watford coach, Dave Hockaday as his head coach after Brian McDermott was sacked. The club brought in a host of players from Italy and England including former Southampton and Doncaster striker Billy Sharp, Italian goalkeeper Marco Silvestri and Sampdoria full back Gaetano Berardi. However, the club lost star striker Ross McCormack who signed for former Premier League side Fulham for £11 million pounds.
Dave Hockaday is the head coach of the Whites and his appointment in the summer took most people by surprise. The former Watford coach’s only previous managerial experience came at non league side Forest Green Rovers where despite having the largest budget in the division, he failed to guide them to promotion to League 2. After a disappointing start to the 2013/14 season he was sacked by the club.
The club had a dismal 2013/14 season when they finished 15th in the League and they have started this season poorly as well. One win and two defeats from their first three league games has already seen pressure mounting on head coach Dave Hockaday and he will need to turn the Whites form around sooner rather than later, if he wants to still be the man in charge at Elland Road.
The danger man for the Whites today will be striker, Billy Sharp. Sharp is a proven goal scorer in the division with the likes of Doncaster, Southampton and Nottingham Forest. Sharp has already got off the mark for Leeds during his debut last weekend, when he snatched the winner against Middlesbrough. A menace to any teams defence, Sharp could prove to be deadly when given a glimpse of goal and the Golden Boys defenders will have to keep a close eye on him if they want to defeat the Whites today.
Team News.
For Watford, Czech striker Matej Vydra is a doubt after he suffered a dead leg in the clubs 0-2 win over Rotherham United in mid week. Joel Ekstrand serves the second match of his three game ban after he was shown a red card in last weekends 3-0 defeat to Norwich, Bwhilst Craig Cathcart, Uche Ikpeazu and Bernard Mensah are all out. However, Mathias Ranegie is available after recovering from his injury which has kept him out of the Hornets two previous games.
For Leeds, the Whites are hopeful that new striker Mirco Antenucci will receive international clearance to face the Golden Boys. Defender Giuseppe Bellusci could make his debut after signing a permanent contract.
Predicted Team Lineups
Watford – Gomes (GK), Hoban, Tamas, Angella, Paredes, Tozser, Abdi, McGugan, Dyer, Forestieri, Deeney ©
Leeds – Silvestri (GK), Byram, Bellusci, Pearce, Warnock, Austin, Murphy, Tonge, Ajose, Sharp, Antenucci.
Referee – James Linington.