Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest Premier League preview, team news and prediction

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Leeds United and Nottingham Forest , separated only by goal difference in the Premier League standings, will face off at Elland Road on Friday night. Both sides are anxiously looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone, making this a crucial match as each team seeks all three points to create more breathing room above the drop.

Leeds United, returning to the top flight as one of three newly promoted teams, were widely tipped for an immediate relegation alongside fellow newcomers Burnley and Sunderland. The Whites got off to a promising start with a 1-0 victory over Everton on the opening day, but struggled to maintain that momentum, managing just two more wins and two draws in their next 12 league games.

Their fortunes began to turn with an impressive 3-1 win over Chelsea at the start of December, sparking a strong run for Daniel Farke’s side. Leeds have now lost only two of their last 11 Premier League matches, recording three wins and six draws during that stretch. This upturn in form has lifted them to 16th place, six points clear of the relegation zone. However, a heavy 4-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend and just one win in their last seven league fixtures means Farke will be eager for his team to regain momentum, especially with West Ham picking up form in recent weeks.

Friday’s clash with Nottingham Forest is particularly significant, as the Tricky Trees sit just one spot below Leeds, level on 26 points but trailing on goal difference. While Leeds have exceeded expectations in their return to the Premier League, Forest have endured a turbulent and disappointing campaign.

After finishing seventh last season and investing heavily over the summer, hopes were high that Forest would cement themselves as a top-half side. However, after a mixed start of one win, one draw, and one loss, a public fallout between the club and manager Nuno Espirito Santo led to his surprise dismissal. Ange Postecoglou was brought in but failed to win any of his eight matches in charge, recording six losses and two draws before being replaced.

Sean Dyche became Forest’s third permanent manager of the season, and in his 23 games at the helm, he has overseen 10 wins, four draws, and nine defeats across all competitions. Dyche’s arrival brought an immediate boost, with four wins and a draw in his first eight league matches, as well as key results in the Europa League that saw Forest progress to the knockout stage. A four-game losing streak spanning the end of 2025 and start of 2026 threatened to pull Forest deeper into the relegation fight, but they have steadied the ship recently, collecting two wins and two draws in their last four outings.

As a result, Forest sit 17th in the table, also six points clear of the relegation zone. With another relegation rival in Leeds up next, a win on Friday could be vital in securing their Premier League status for another season.

Forest claimed a convincing 3-1 victory over Leeds in the reverse fixture, with goals from Ibrahim Sangare, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Elliot Anderson. They will be keen to replicate that performance at Elland Road. However, Leeds have proven tough to beat at home this season, recording five wins, four draws, and only three defeats from their 12 league matches at Elland Road.

Leeds United will be without Jaka Bijol (hamstring), Daniel James (hamstring), and Lukas Nmecha (thigh) for this fixture due to injury, though all three are expected to return in the coming weeks. Despite last weekend’s heavy 4-0 defeat to Arsenal, manager Daniel Farke is set to stick with the five-at-the-back formation that has served the team well in recent months, although some changes in personnel are likely as he looks for a positive response. Sebastiaan Bornauw is expected to return to the back three, replacing James Justin, who could shift to the left wing-back role in place of Gabriel Gudmundsson. Noah Okafor may also be introduced to bolster the forward line.

Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are missing John Victor (knee), Matz Sels (muscle), Nicolo Savona (knee), Chris Wood (knee), and Callum Hudson-Odoi (shoulder) due to injury, while Neco Williams is suspended following his red card last weekend. January signing Stefan Ortega could make his debut in goal, with Morato likely to start at left-back in Williams’ absence, joining Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, and Murillo in the defensive line. In attack, Dan Ndoye is a candidate to start on the right flank to cover for Hudson-Odoi, while Morgan Gibbs-White, Nicolas Dominguez, and Igor Jesus are expected to retain their places in the attacking quartet.

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