Preview: Leeds vs Nottingham Forest Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | Premier League 2025-26
A key fixture in the relegation scrap fight.
Elland Road is set for a massive Friday night game. Leeds United face Nottingham Forest in a match that could decide their Premier League futures as both teams have 26 points right now.
The clubs sit in sixteenth and seventeenth place. This makes the game a huge turning point for their seasons. Losing could push either side right toward the bottom three. On the flip side, a win gives them some breathing room.
Daniel Farke’s men are back in West Yorkshire looking to bounce back. They are coming off a tough 4-0 loss to Arsenal. The Whites struggled at the back in that game. Still, they play much better at home, which is key to staying up.
Farke will likely ask his players to push higher up the pitch. He wants them to press hard and rattle Forest. The visitors usually focus on staying solid rather than keeping the ball. Wilfried Gnonto will be important here.
His speed can pull defenders out of position. He needs to get past Forest’s full-backs to find Joel Piroe. Piroe is still the man Leeds count on to score inside the box.
Nottingham Forest head to West Yorkshire after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. Manager Sean Dyche took over in October. Since then, he has made the Tricky Trees much tougher to beat. They were on a good, unbeaten run before the Palace game.
But Dyche has a problem with his lineup this week as Neco Williams was picked up a red card in their last match and is now suspended. This means Forest have to move players around in defence.
In terms of tactics, Farke wants to control the game while Dyche wants to make it a scrap. Leeds need to move the ball quickly to break down Forest’s deep defence. The visitors will look for chances from set-pieces and quick counters. The Elland Road crowd will be loud and intense. In the end, the team that keep their cool in this high-pressure battle will likely take all three points.
Kick-off:
- Location: Leeds, England
- Stadium: Elland Road
- Date: Saturday, February 7
- Kick-off Time: 01:30 a.m.
- Referee: Peter Bankes
- VAR: In use
Form:
Leeds United: L-D-W-W-L
Nottingham Forest: D-W-W-L-D
Players to watch out for:
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the line for Leeds United. He is the main man for their attack. He has already scored nine goals this Premier League season. That number sits right where it should, considering his 8.93 expected goals (xG).
In his 22 games, the striker has also chipped in with one assist. Leeds will really need his strength in the air and his ability to hold the ball to get a result here.
Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)
On the other side, Nottingham Forest count on Morgan Gibbs-White to pull the strings. He runs the show from the middle of the pitch. He has played in 24 matches so far. In those games, he has scored six goals from an xG of 6.13.
The midfielder has also set up two goals for his teammates. Keeping him quiet will be the biggest job for the Leeds defence.
Match Facts:
- Leeds sit 16th but rank 11th in the xG table, underperforming by eight points.
- Leeds lost just twice in 11 league matches before falling to Arsenal.
- Forest won five points from their last three league matches after taking 12 from the previous eight.
Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest: Betting Tips and Odds
- Both teams to score: 1.80 as per Bet365.
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin To Score Anytime: 2.75 as per Sky Bet.
- Nottingham Forest or Draw (Double Chance): 1.91 as per William Hill.
Injuries and Team News:
Unavailable players for Leeds United: Jaka Bijol (injury), Daniel James (injury), and Lukas Nmecha (injury).
Unavailable players for Nottingham Forest: John Victor (injury), Matz Sels (injury), Neco Williams (suspension), Nicolo Savona (injury) and Chris Wood (injury).
Head-To-Head stats:
Total matches: 89
Leeds United won: 30
Nottingham Forest won: 33
Draws: 26
Predicted Starting Lineups:
Leeds United Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):
Karl Darlow; James Justin, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk; Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Gabriel Gudmundsson; Anton Stach, Brenden Aaronson; Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):
Angus Gunn; Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato; Ibrahim Sangaré, Elliot Anderson; Dan Ndoye, Morgan Gibbs-White, Nicolás Domínguez; Igor Jesus
Match Prediction:
Bookmakers have Both Teams to Score at 4/5. That tells you everything about these defences. They tend to buckle under pressure. Meanwhile, the short odds on a Double Chance suggest Nottingham Forest will likely walk away with something here.
Sean Dyche’s side are tough enough to make life miserable for the hosts. Dominic Calvert-Lewin should grab a goal, so a draw looks like the most sensible bet.
Prediction: Leeds United 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Telecast Details
India: JioHotstar, Star Sports Network
UK: Sky Sports and TNT Sports
US: NBC Sports
Nigeria: SuperSport
Who are the primary goal threats to watch during the Leeds United versus Nottingham Forest match?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the line for the home side with nine goals, while Morgan Gibbs-White serves as the creative engine for the visitors with six goals.
What does the historical head-to-head record suggest about the outcome of this fixture?
Nottingham Forest hold a slight historical advantage with 33 wins compared to 30 for Leeds United, though 26 matches ended in draws.
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