Leeds United meet Nottingham Forest in a huge clash in the scrap for Premier League survival.
Currently locked on 26 points apiece and -11 on goal difference, victory or a draw would keep Leeds ahead of Forest in 16th position but defeat would see the Tricky Trees leapfrog their hosts into 16th.
Team News
Anton Stach is unlikely to be involved in Leeds’ next two matches due to a hip injury suffered in their 4-0 home defeat against Arsenal.
Dan James, Jaka Bijol (both hamstring) and James Justin (knock) face late fitness checks.
Lukas Nmecha (hamstring) is still absent.
Forest will be without Neco Williams after he was red carded in their 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace due to handball.
Matz Sels (groin) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (shoulder) face late fitness checks but Nicolo Savona, John Victor and Chris Wood are sidelined with knee injuries.
When is Kick-Off?
Leeds host Forest at Elland Road on Friday 6 February at 8pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Leeds have lost two of their last seven Premier League meetings against Forest (W3, D2, L2).
- Forest have won just one of their last five Premier League meetings against Leeds (W1, L4).
- Two of Leeds’ last four Premier League meetings against Forest ended in 3-1 results, of which both teams took a win apiece by that result at home.
- Leeds haven’t lost consecutive league games at home since a three-match winless streak between April – May 2024 in the Championship.
- Forest are on their longest unbeaten league run this season so far (W2, D2).
Prediction
Aside from brief bright starts in both halves against Arsenal, Leeds were truthfully just outclassed by the Gunners even though they did make them work for their four goals from marking errors. but they should just write that game off and regroup because this is a chance to move away from the drop.
Forest meanwhile have found momentum in their last few games but will be frustrated that they didn’t kill off Palace when on top until Williams’ moment of stupidity, yet that draw could be crucial come end of the season after they dug in during a see-saw second half to get a deserved point.
Sean Dyche’s Tricky Trees though will need to be wary of Leeds’ strong attacking form at home in the past two months but I do think that the fact this is a six-pointer in the fight for survival will play a psychological role, of which Forest could have the edge given their experiences.
Prediction: Leeds 1-2 Forest
Result: Leeds 3-1 Forest
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