7M - Preview: Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest - Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Leeds United and Nottingham Forest will clash at Elland Road on Friday night, with both teams sitting perilously close to the relegation zone and eager to secure vital points to distance themselves from danger.

Match Preview

Leeds United, one of the three newly promoted clubs in the Premier League, were initially among the favorites for relegation this season, alongside fellow new teams Burnley and Sunderland. They started the campaign brightly with a 1-0 win against Everton, but subsequent results dwindled, as Leeds managed only two additional wins and two draws in their next 12 league matches.

However, the team turned a corner with an impressive 3-1 victory against Chelsea in December, igniting a form surge. Leeds has since lost only two of their last 11 league fixtures, garnering three wins and six draws, allowing them to rise to 16th place with a six-point cushion above the relegation zone.

Despite their solid run, Leeds encountered a disappointing 4-0 defeat to Arsenal last weekend and have only one win in their last seven Premier League games. Head coach Daniel Farke will be keen to reinstate the positive momentum as they host Nottingham Forest, who are just one spot below on goal difference while both teams are tied on 26 points.

Nottingham Forest had high hopes following a seventh-place finish last season and a summer of significant investment. However, the season has been rocky thus far. After a mixed start, their relationship with manager Nuno Espirito Santo soured, leading to his dismissal. His successor, Ange Postecoglou, struggled to secure victories and was also let go.

Sean Dyche was named as the new permanent manager and has since led the team to 10 wins, four draws, and nine losses across all competitions. His initial tenure saw a positive impact, but a four-match losing streak at the end of 2025 and start of 2026 raised relegation concerns. Yet, Forest has stabilized recently, pulling off two wins and two draws in their last four encounters.

With Nottingham Forest currently sitting 17th, another three points against Leeds could bolster their chances of avoiding relegation. In the previous fixture against Leeds, Forest demonstrated their capabilities with a convincing 3-1 victory, courtesy of goals from Ibrahim Sangare, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Elliot Anderson. They'll aim to replicate that success at Elland Road, where Leeds has proven to be a tough opponent, recording five wins, four draws, and only three losses in their home games this season.

Team News

Leeds United will be without Jaka Bijol, Daniel James, and Lukas Nmecha due to injuries, but all are expected to return soon. Despite the heavy defeat against Arsenal, Farke is likely to maintain his five-defender formation, with potential personnel changes to revitalize the squad. Sebastiaan Bornauw may return to the back three, James Justin could switch to left wing-back, and Noah Okafor may join the attack.

For Nottingham Forest, John Victor, Matz Sels, Nicolo Savona, Chris Wood, and Callum Hudson-Odoi are sidelined due to injuries, and Neco Williams is suspended following last weekend’s red card. New signing Stefan Ortega could debut in goal, and Morato might start at left-back. Dan Ndoye is expected to take the right flank in Hudson-Odoi's absence, with Morgan Gibbs-White, Nicolas Dominguez, and Igor Jesus likely forming the attacking quartet.

Leeds United Possible Starting Lineup:

Darlow; Bornauw, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Gruev, Justin; Stach, Okafor; Calvert-Lewin

Nottingham Forest Possible Starting Lineup:

Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Dominguez; Jesus

Prediction

We predict a 2-2 draw between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest. Leeds have proven to be a challenging opponent at home, while Nottingham Forest have shown good form yet struggle during their visits to Elland Road. History suggests the encounter may end all square, with three of their last five meetings resulting in draws.

Final Score Prediction: Leeds United 2-2 Nottingham Forest