That first league meeting ended in a 1-0 win for Watford at Elland Road.
John Barnes starred for Watford during their first ever meeting with Leeds. The former England winger, then cutting his teeth as a footballer, was outstanding when Watford won 4-0 at Leeds in a League Cup third round clash in October 1984.
The route to the old visitors terrace at Vicarage Road was legendary among travelling fans. Access to "The Rookery" was only possible after a half-mile yomp around an allotment plot. Away supporters are now located at the opposite end of the ground.
David Batty is United's leading appearance-maker against Watford. The Elland Road legend figured in all four meetings in the old second division and also played in the first Premiership clash between the sides.
Aussie midfielder Paul Okon was United's last signing from Watford. Former Elland Road boss Terry Venables plucked Okon from the obscurity of Watford's reserve side after the pairing previously worked together at Middlesbrough.
Adrian Boothroyd is a former coach at Leeds and it came as a big surprise when Watford named him as their new boss last year after they parted company with Ray Lewington.
Boothroyd has come back to Leeds to capture both Clark Carlisle and Matthew Spring and even their leading scorer Marlon King was on loan at United at the end of last season.
Leeds have faced their former coach three times now with the Whites winning 2-1 and drawing 0-0 at Vicarage Road and 2-1 at home when the Hornets had keeper Ben Foster and forward Darian Henderson sent-off.