Watford

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With just one win from their past 14 games, Roy Hodgson says confidence is low at Watford, but he hopes his side can reset before Saturday's game at Manchester United.

When asked if he believes he can pick his players up, Hodgson said: "It depends what you mean by confident.We are confident we can do a good job in preparing the team each week for the games.

"We are confident we have a group of players here who understand the gravity of the situation that we don't want to be relegated from the Premier League and know they are going to have to fight if that's not going to happen.

"I don't know where extra confidence comes from when you aren't winning matches and taking points. It's been a long spell now for Watford, both before we came and even in the brief time that we've been here, that those points have not been flowing in.

"Unfortunately, we've been steadily moving in the wrong direction rather than the right direction.

"After every game you need to reset the barometer and make certain that you have it pointing in the right direction. You want the fair winds and you don’t want the storm."

Manchester United

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Ralf Rangnick says his Manchester United side must "keep the momentum" with a win over Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday to stay in the race for a top-four finish.

United are unbeaten in five matches - with back-to-back wins in the league.

Rangnick says the players are "fully aware we have to win" and must be "ready for the upcoming games against the top teams".

March could prove a huge month for United, with the Manchester derby next weekend, followed by Spurs at home and then Liverpool away in the league. In the middle of that is the home leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Atletico Madrid.

"It could but it only makes sense to take one game after another," Rangnick added.

"Now the job is to fully recover from the (last) game, play at the highest possible level against Watford and then we have a week to prepare for the derby against Manchester City."

Newcastle United

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Eddie Howe said he will make a late call on Allan Saint-Maximin for today's Premier League game against Brentford.

The Frenchman missed the 1-1 draw with West Ham after taking a kick to his calf against Aston Villa and has since been in France for treatment.

Despite photos on Instagram of the winger in an oxygen tent on Thursday, Howe is hoping he might be available to face the Bees.

"Saint-Maximin we are going to make a late call on," he said.

"He has been away getting intensive treatment. We said when he suffered the injury that it would not be long-term, so we are keeping our fingers crossed on him.

"In terms of his rehab, he has been away to get specialised intensive treatment abroad.

"We just wanted him to get the best treatment, the most intense treatment, that he could, and Allan has a relationship with a physio and clinic out in Monaco, so we felt it was good for him to go back.

"He's in a very good place and he is very eager to return."

John Nixon: Losing Bentancur is a huge loss for Spurs, Winks and Hojbjerg struggle to create anything - another frustrating day for Conte and Spurs fans

Brentford

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It could be a very special day at the Brentford Community Stadium, with Christian Eriksen in line to make his Bees debut against Newcastle, eight months after suffering cardiac arrest playing for Denmark at Euro 2020.

The midfielder will part of their matchday squad for the first time since joining on a free transfer last month.

"He is available and he will get on the pitch," said boss Thomas Frank. "It will be amazing. It's a big day for all of us but especially Chris and his family.

"It's also massive for everyone involved and who saw what happened, it's another reminder for us to feel privileged for what we do and the moments we get."

Adam Pope
BBC West Yorkshire Sport

The spirit evoked by both head coaches in the news conferences before Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur should have those of players and supporters stirred well before this lunchtime kick-off at Elland Road.

Under pressure Marcelo Bielsa and Antonio Conte, both of whom have lost four of their past five Premier League fixtures, showed unequivocal belief in their own methods to improve the respective plights of their teams.

Bielsa, repeatedly criticised in some quarters for his unwavering philosophy on attacking play, reminded everyone that "these players have already demonstrated they have the level to play in the Premier League".

He told BBC Radio Leeds: "The style, the model has already shown it can work and be imposed."

To deviate from the plan will only make the situation worse, he believes, while knowing that his words during this difficult spell will appear more of a bark at the moon by his detractors. It is admirable that his faith remains undiminished if not tested.

Conte, who in an emotional outpouring after the defeat at Burnley questioned whether he was fit for purpose, has since framed himself.

"I want to help the club in every aspect. with my vision and my ideas about football for improvement. I am committed to this club much more because the consideration of the club about myself is very, very high. I'm sure the club is appreciating what we are doing. The problem is I am a perfectionist."

Maybe we saw into the character of men who know what it takes to be successful, seasoned campaigners amid questions raised over their futures?

Conte, whose side cling on to hopes of a top-four finish, countered with: "I will help the club in every moment, until the end."

In the opposite dugout, Bielsa dug in: "The more adverse the situation is, the more I fortify myself to face it."

Strong words, softly spoken.

Unsurprisingly, Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa is not about to change his style in the wake of that 6-0 defeat at Anfield...

What do you make of those line-ups then, Leeds and Spurs fans? Let us know at #bbcfootball

And feel free to get in touch with your thoughts and predictions about any of today's games!

The team news is in for our early game...

Leeds make two changes from the side who got thrashed by Liverpool last time out, with Robin Koch and Diego Llorente brought into the defence.

Mateusz Klich and Rodrigo are the two to miss out, while Patrick Bamford, Liam Cooper, Kalvin Phillips and Leo Hjelde remain on the sidelines.

Leeds: Meslier, Ayling, Llorente, Struijk, Firpo, Koch, Raphinha, Dallas, Forshaw, Harrison, James.

Subs: Roberts, Klaesson, Rodrigo, Gelhardt, Cresswell, Summerville, Klich, Shackleton, Kenneh.

Image source, BBC Sport

Tottenham also make two changes from their last outing - a 1-0 defeat at Burnley.

Harry Winks replaces the injured Rodrigo Bentancur in midfield while Matt Doherty comes in for Emerson Royal at right wing-back.

Tottenham Hotspur: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Davies, Doherty, Winks, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon, Kulusevski, Son, Kane.

Subs: Reguilon, Sanchez, Emerson, Rodon, Bergwijn, Austin, White, Scarlett, Devine.

Image source, BBC Sport

Alan Hutton
Former Scotland defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

[Antonio Conte] is an emotional guy. You see him on the side of the pitch, storming up and down; he wears his heart on his sleeve. You know exactly what he's thinking; off the back of that Burnley performance, which was poor and they have been on a poor run, he was caught in an emotional moment where he just opened his mouth and things came out.

It is difficult in that position; for me, he was one of the final pieces of the jigsaw for Spurs, that elite manager to take them to the next level. It hasn't quite worked out, but if you look where they are in the table, as bad as its been, if they win their two games in hand, they are a point off Man Utd as it stands at the moment. They are not out of it.

Tottenham Hotspur

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Which Antonio Conte will the post-match media get today? It will surely depend on his side's performance.

After the superb win over Manchester City, the Italian said this was one of the best group of players he had worked with, but following a defeat by Burnley a few days later Conte was questioning whether he was the right man for the job.

But Conte has since spoken with chairman Daniel Levy and says he is committed to the role.

"Our chairman knows very well that I'm here to help the club in every moment," he said. "I will do that until the end.

"He shows me great consideration every day and for this reason, I'm committed for this club much more because I know the consideration for me is very high."

Yes, the dugouts will be full of emotion at Elland Road with the early game pitting two bosses against each other who cannot be accused of lacking passion...

It's a proper Saturday of Premier League football, with 12 teams in action and games that will have an impact at both ends of the table.

Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United kick things off as they host Tottenham in the early kick-off at Elland Road, before four 3pm games and a tasty late one...

• Brentford v Newcastle
• Brighton v Aston Villa
• Crystal Palace v Burnley
• Man Utd v Watford
• Everton v Man City (17:30)