Daniel Farke fires warning to Leeds United players ahead of Watford clash | OneFootball

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke believes his team will face a very difficult clash away at Watford tonight, speaking to the Whites' media team.

Farke's side are in excellent form at the moment, going unbeaten in the league during the calendar year of 2024 and managing to climb to the top of the Championship table.

Leicester City can overtake them at some point with their game in hand, but considering how far apart the two sides were earlier this season, Leeds can be extremely proud of the fact they have managed to leapfrog the Foxes.

Some impressive results have been needed for the West Yorkshire side to achieve this, with their 3-1 win against Enzo Maresca's side aiding their cause.

They may have dropped points at Huddersfield Town recently, and they will be disappointed about that, but no one can have many complaints about Leeds this calendar year with some of the results they have been able to secure.

Another win is required this afternoon though - and they may have been heavy favourites to secure the three points if they had played the Hornets during the latter stages of Valerien Ismael's tenure.

But with Tom Cleverley in charge, this could be a fascinating clash.

Farke will be desperate to see his team win in Hertfordshire - but he knows it won't be an easy task.

Speaking about Cleverley's side, he told the Whites' media team: "It's a home game, so I think they will be highly motivated in this home game to be there with back to back wins, and for that we have to be prepared for a really difficult challenge.

"Under the circumstances, we have to dig in and show great unity and great togetherness.

"I also am quite sure that we need our away supporters to carry us perhaps also during challenging and difficult periods during this game. Because, this is definitely an important game in order to grind out results and to win as many points as possible."

Leeds United will want their Welsh players to react to their recent setback

The one thing that may have counted against Leeds during the international break is the fact their Welsh players suffered heartbreak in the Euros play-offs against Poland earlier this week.

This means the likes of Ethan Ampadu, Dan James, Connor Roberts and Joe Rodon will be gutted.

James may be especially demoralised following his crucial penalty miss, so Farke will need to pick these players up and ensure they are all fully focused.

If they aren't, they could easily suffer defeat in Hertfordshire tonight.

This is because their Welsh players are hugely influential, with Ampadu, James and Rodon all playing a massive part this term.