It will take a serious final-third collapse from Watford if they are to get dragged into a Premier League relegation battle, so they might just fancy a deep run in the FA Cup and this weekend they welcome Championship side Leeds United in the fifth round.
The visitors have endured another tough season both on and off the field and if they can reach the quarter-finals will give the fed-up supporters a little lift.
Watford
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The Hornets are only four points shy of the magical 40-point total said to be enough to avoid relegation having impressed hugely in their first season back in the Premier League after eight years away.
Last week's 2-1 win at Crystal Palace was just Watford's second in nine Premier League matches, but still they sit ninth after 26 games and above the likes of Everton and defending champions Chelsea in the standings.
Troy Deeney scored both of the visitors' goals at Selhurst Park and Hornets boss Quique Flores has called on Roy Hodgson to give Deeney an England call-up, although with fellow Englishman Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane impressing so often this term it is hard to imagine Deeney being part of the Three Lions' Euro 2016 squad.
Watford are in the fifth round for the first time in seven years thanks to wins over Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest and they are aiming to emulate the 1984 team's run to the final, where they were eventually beaten 2-0 at Wembley by Everton.
The Hornets' best run in recent times was to the 2007 semi-finals, when they lost 4-1 to beaten finalists Manchester United.
At home, Flores's men are unbeaten in three and have only conceded once in that time, drawing 0-0 at home to Chelsea in their last match at Vicarage Road two weeks ago.
Recent form: LWWDLW
Leeds
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It looks like it is going to be another insignificant mid-table finish for Leeds, who have finished between 13th and 15th the last four seasons and currently lie 16th after 31 games of the current campaign.
Although Monday night's goalless draw at home to promotion contenders Middlesbrough was an impressive result on the pitch, much of the focus was on the supporters' protestations off it.
Many are voicing their opposition to club owner Massimo Cellino louder and louder and before the game on Monday images and words calling for Cellino to go were projected onto the side of Elland Road's East Stand. "Don't fight us, my friend," read one message.
Italian businessman Cellino has appointed and fired four managers since his arrival in 2014 and the man currently in charge of the Whites is Steve Evans, who has led the Yorkshire side to some impressive results since taking over but struggled, like his predecessors, for consistency.
Leeds have won just one of their last nine league games, but they are in the last 16 of the FA Cup for the first time since 2013 - when they were heavily beaten 4-0 away at Manchester City - thanks to January wins over struggling fellow Championship sides Rotherham United and Bolton Wanderers.
The Whites have reached the FA Cup final four times, all within an eight-year spell between 1965 and 1973, but only triumphed on one occasion in 1971 when they edged out Arsenal 1-0.
Recent form: LWDWLD
Team News
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Leeds will again be without first-choice striker Chris Wood. The New Zealander has been out in recent weeks with hamstring problems but is now also dealing with a small virus, so Mirco Antenucci could again start up top.
There is better news on full-back Gaetano Berardi, who might make his first start since November having recovered from a torn ankle ligament.
Flores has unsurprisingly hinted at several changes this weekend as the Spaniard looks to give some of his fringe players the chance to impress.
The Hornets are a little light at the back, with Miguel Britos struggling to get fit in time and Joel Ekstrand and Tommie Hoban already sidelined.
Watford possible starting lineup:
Pantilimon; Paredes, Prodl, Cathcart, Holebas; Anya, Suarez, Guedioura, Abdi; Deeney, Amrabat
Leeds possible starting lineup:
Silvestri; Berardi, Bellusci, Bamba, Taylor; Bridcutt; Diagouraga; Dallas, Cook, Mowatt; Antenucci
Head To Head
Watford have got the better of Leeds on plenty of occasions when the two teams have both been in the Championship in recent years.
The Hornets have won the last three matches between the two and scored 21 goals in their last six games against the Whites. They have never met in the FA Cup.
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We say: Watford 2-0 Leeds
Watford's goal this season would have been to stay in the Premier League and with that now all but achieved, they can really go for it in the Cup and Leeds should not be able to stand in their way.
Pascal Lemesre
