Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United – Preview, Lineups, Key Men And Score Prediction | OneFootball

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Leeds United open their Premier League campaign this afternoon against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground, heading into the fixture on the back of some encouraging pre-season performances.

That momentum follows a strong finish to last season, with the Whites going unbeaten in eight of their final ten games as they secured a 14th-placed finish.

The club hierarchy have once again backed Daniel Farke this summer, bringing in several strong additions as they look to help him take Leeds further up the table after he truly established an identity with his side last December.

The Whites will be eager to make a fast start and break into the top half of the table, ensuring last season’s relegation concerns do not resurface this term.

Defensively, they have added Tarik Muharemovic and Nico Elvedi, both of whom enjoyed strong World Cup campaigns and will hope to carry that form into the Premier League.

Elvedi has been backed by a former Switzerland star to be able to quickly nail down a spot in the Leeds side if he can show the form he showed in North America, while Farke feels the defender is ready for the challenge.

There has also been a major overhaul between the posts, with just two of last season’s goalkeepers remaining at the club.

James Trafford has instead arrived from Manchester City for a significant fee and has already been vocal about how impressed he is by the ambition at Elland Road.

Nottingham Forest have also added fresh faces to their squad, with Xaver Schlager among the notable midfield arrivals as they look to fill the void left by Elliot Anderson, while Ousmane Diomande has further strengthened their defence.

The Tricky Trees finished 16th in the Premier League last season, although their European campaign told a very different story as they reached the Europa League semi-finals before bowing out to Aston Villa.

Forest’s disappointing league finish was also shaped by managerial changes throughout the campaign, but they now have a coach with proven European pedigree in Oliver Glasner, who has been tasked with steering the side back into continental competition.

Neither side will have European football to contend with this season, while Leeds new boy Harry Wilson has spoken about emulating Forest’s achievements last term and helping his new club reach similar heights.

With each side claiming a 3-1 victory on home soil in the two meetings last season, there is little to separate them on paper ahead of the opener, which should provide an early glimpse into the tactical approach both managers will take this season.

Home advantage at the City Ground could give Nottingham Forest the edge, but Leeds’ pre-season victories over Liverpool, RB Leipzig and Sunderland suggest they will be anything but easy opposition, something Glasner acknowledged in his pre-match press conference.

This afternoon’s clash will be the first of two meetings in quick succession, with the sides set to face off again at the City Ground on Tuesday night in the second round of the EFL Cup.

Team News

Nottingham Forest are without Nicolo Savona and Ryan Yates from their 23-man squad, while Leeds United will miss Gabriel Gudmundsson and Willy Gnonto.

Predicted Lineups

Key Men

Nottingham Forest

Morgan Gibbs-White will be looking to pick up where he left off last season, with the disappointment of missing out on England’s World Cup squad providing another source of motivation as he prepares to return to action with a point to prove.

In the last campaign, he finished with 18 goals and seven assists in 53 appearances across all competitions and is once again expected to be the creative heartbeat of the Garibaldi’s attack.

Alongside the England midfielder, Igor Jesus is another player to watch after enjoying an impressive pre-season, scoring four goals in Forest’s opening five friendlies as he looks to carry that form into the new campaign.

The Tricky Trees remain on the lookout for another striker, meaning Jesus could have an added incentive to make his case for a starting role should another forward arrive, with Tottenham Hotspur hitman Dominic Solanke on the club’s radar.

Leeds United

Across their six pre-season matches ahead of the new campaign, Farke’s side have been in fine scoring form, finding the net 15 times, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha both contributing three goals as they look to carry that momentum into the Premier League.

The pair also played important roles in Leeds’ run to the FA Cup semi-final last season, contributing four goals and assists between them during the competition.

Calvert-Lewin in particular will be keen to maintain his form after missing out on an England call-up despite finishing last season with 16 goal involvements.

With concerns raised over the fitness records of both forwards, the club have been urged to add another centre-forward, giving the duo further incentive to make their mark against a side they both scored against last season.

Match Prediction

The first of two meetings between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United in the space of three days promises a competitive start as both prepare to open their Premier League campaigns this afternoon.

Both clubs have strengthened over the summer and will see this fixture as an early opportunity to set the tone as they look to improve on last season’s finishes.

The last meeting at the City Ground ended in a hard-fought victory for the Garibaldi, but Leeds’ impressive pre-season form suggests this encounter could be a different proposition.

An entertaining battle should unfold at the City Ground, with Nottingham Forest likely to use the home advantage, particularly if they make the first breakthrough, although Leeds have enough about them to ensure the points could be shared.

Inside Futbol Score Prediction

Nottingham Forest 1-1 Leeds United

Where To Watch?

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United is set for a 15:00 UK time kick-off, but will not be broadcast live in the UK. It can however be followed via each club’s official website.