Sport nationLeeds United is set to face Watford in a crucial Championship clash on Good Friday, aiming to maintain their position at the top of the league standings. The match, taking place at Vicarage Road, comes after Leeds United’s recent 2-0 victory against Millwall, which has kept them at the summit of the Championship for 13 days. However, due to the fixtures of Leicester City and Ipswich Town being scheduled earlier, Leeds United could potentially start the game in third place. A win against Watford would ensure they reclaim their spot as the leaders.
The team, under the guidance of Daniel Farke, has been dealing with several injury concerns. Pascal Struijk and Georginio Rutter are both grappling with groin issues, adding to the team’s challenges ahead of the match. Additionally, several Leeds United players have been on international duty and are expected to return to West Yorkshire just a few days before the encounter with Watford, leaving little time for recovery and preparation.
Watford, on the other hand, also faces its own set of injury doubts and concerns. Jamal Lewis is a doubt for the game after withdrawing from Northern Ireland duty due to a foot injury, though Watford’s manager Cleverley remains hopeful of his fitness in time for the clash. Ryan Andrews, who left the England Men’s Elite League squad with a dead leg, is also hoped to be fit to face Leeds. Emmanuel Dennis, despite carrying a minor groin issue, is unlikely to be rested for such a significant match after scoring the winner for Watford last weekend.
Jeremy Ngakia is ruled out after suffering knee ligament damage at the start of March, with a four-week timeframe given for his return. Ken Sema’s participation is uncertain due to a hamstring injury sustained before the win over Birmingham, and the severity of the injury remains unclear. Stuart Dallas is still far from returning to action after breaking his femur against Manchester City, with his absence reaching two years at the end of this month.
As both teams prepare for this pivotal match, the injury news and player availability will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the strategies and line-ups chosen by the managers. Leeds United seeks to solidify its promotion aspirations, while Watford aims to disrupt their opponent’s momentum and climb higher in the Championship standings[1].
Citations:
[1] https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/watford-v-leeds-united-injury-news-as-three-out-and-five-doubts-for-good-friday-championship-clash-4566621
[2] https://thehardtackle.com/round-up/2023/09/23/leeds-united-vs-watford-preview-probable-lineups-prediction-tactics-team-news-key-stats-2/
[3] https://www.vavel.com/en-us/soccer/2023/09/23/1156896-leeds-united-vs-watford-fc-live-updates-score-stream-info-lineups-and-how-to-watch-efl-championship.html
[4] https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/hull-city-injury-timeline-provides-major-boost-to-leeds-united-ahead-of-easter-monday-championship-clash-4566634
[5] https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/leeds-united-vs-watford-prediction-betting-tips-september-23-2023
[6] https://uk.news.yahoo.com/18-brilliant-photos-leeds-united-081531432.html
[7] https://khelnow.com/football/2023-11-world-football-rotherham-united-vs-leeds-united-predicted-lineup-injury-news-telecast
[8] https://www.leedsunited.com/news/team-news/32077/preview-leeds-united-vs-watford
[9] https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united-confirm-key-player-is-set-to-undergo-surgery-to-address-injury-4559671
[10] https://uk.news.yahoo.com/rotherham-united-v-leeds-united-183546046.html
[11] https://www.watfordfc.com/news/preview-ismael-speaks-ahead-of-leeds-trip
[12] https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/watford-suffer-fresh-injury-concern-9083331
[13] https://www.leedsallover.com/kalvin-phillips-and-kemar-roofe-react-to-huge-leeds-united-injury-update-pre-watford/
[14] https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sport/football/watford-ipswich-championship-2023-24-preview/
[15] https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/leeds-united/leeds-united-wilfried-gnonto-injury-27766756
[16] https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/leeds-united/championship-predictions/feature/saturdays-championship-predictions-including-watford-vs-leicester-city_536314.html
[17] https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-striker-responds-leeds-28717354
[18] https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66828512
[19] https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/huddersfield-town-v-leeds-united-injury-news-with-5-out-and-3-doubtful-but-12-men-back-in-mix-4539400
[20] https://www.watfordfc.com/match-report/match-report-leeds-united-3-0-watford
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