Level on points and neck-and-neck in the table, Leeds and Nottingham Forest go head-to-head at Elland Road in what already feels like a huge game in the bottom half of the Premier League table. Kick-off is at 20:00 on Friday 6 February, with drama all but guaranteed as neither can afford to slip up.
Best Bets & Predictions
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds to Win | 6/5 @ Bet365 (45.5%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Leeds saw their five game unbeaten streak at Elland Road come to an end against Arsenal last week, but there is plenty of reason to believe they can respond in the right way on Friday night. Even though Nottingham Forest have collected over half of their points on the road this season, this feels like a strong spot for Leeds to get back on track. Victories at home against Chelsea, Fulham and Crystal Palace have fueled a genuine push for survival, and the atmosphere under the lights should once again play a major role. Daniel Farke’s side thrive on tempo and aggression in these moments, and Forest may find it difficult to live with that intensity. With the crowd fully invested and the stakes high against a direct rival, Leeds look well placed to grind out a narrow but crucial win. |
| Dominic Calvert Lewin to Score | 13/8 @ Matchbook (38.1%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Dominic Calvert Lewin appears rejuvenated since making the move from Everton to Leeds last summer. For the first time in a long while he looks fully fit and firing, and his return of nine league goals already underlines just how effective he has been. He has not reached double figures in the top flight since the Carlo Ancelotti era at Everton, a period that now feels a long way off, but all signs point towards him passing that mark soon under Daniel Farke. His final three seasons on Merseyside brought just 12 goals in total, much of that time spent under Sean Dyche, and there is a sense of inevitability that he could come back to trouble his former manager on Friday night. |
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Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams go into Leeds vs Nottingham Forest
Leeds United arrived in the Premier League as one of the newly promoted sides tipped for an immediate return to the Championship, along with Burnley and Sunderland. They showed early promise with a narrow opening day win over Everton, but consistency proved hard to find in the weeks that followed. After that positive start, Leeds managed only two wins and two draws from their next 12 matches, leaving them firmly involved in the relegation conversation.
A standout victory over Chelsea at the start of December changed the mood, sparking a much improved run of form for Daniel Farke’s side. Leeds have now lost only two of their last 11 league games and sit 16th with a six point cushion over the bottom three. That progress was checked by a heavy defeat to Arsenal last weekend, and with just one win in seven and West Ham beginning to pull away, Friday’s clash with Nottingham Forest takes on extra importance. Forest sit level on points and just behind on goal difference, making this a crucial opportunity for Leeds to steady themselves and reassert control of their survival bid.
After finishing seventh last season and backing that up with heavy summer spending, Nottingham Forest entered the new campaign with genuine expectations of a top half push. A mixed start on the pitch was quickly overshadowed by turmoil off it, as relations broke down with Nuno Espirito Santo and led to his early dismissal. Ange Postecoglou was brought in but his spell proved disastrous, with Forest failing to win any of his eight matches before another swift change was made.
Sean Dyche was the third manager through the door and has brought a degree of stability. His early impact included strong league form and important Europa League results, though a poor run around the turn of the year pulled Forest back towards trouble. Recent performances have been more encouraging, with two wins and two draws lifting them to 17th and six points clear of the bottom three. A win over Leeds on Friday would further ease the pressure, especially after Forest claimed a convincing 3 1 victory in the reverse fixture, although Elland Road has been a difficult place to visit for most teams this season.
Leeds team news
Anton Stach and Lukas Nmecha are injured. Dan James is a doubt.
Nottingham Forest team news
Chris Wood and Nicola Savona are injured. Neco Williams is suspended.
Season Form & Standings
2025/26 season to date
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leeds | 16 | 24 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 31 | 42 | -11 | 26 |
| Nottingham Forest | 17 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 24 | 35 | -11 | 26 |
Leeds and Forest are locked on 26 points after 24 games, both with a -11 goal difference. Leeds, however, have drawn more and lost fewer than Forest, who have one extra win but more defeats. Both sides urgently need a win to pull away from the drop zone.
Head-to-Head: Last 6 Meetings
Forest hold a narrow edge in recent encounters, with four wins to Leeds’ three (plus three draws) across the last ten meetings. Goals are common, with both teams scoring in eight of those. Here are the six most recent results:
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 09/11/25 | Nottingham Forest 3-1 Leeds | Premier League |
| 04/04/23 | Leeds 2-1 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 05/02/23 | Nottingham Forest 1-0 Leeds | Premier League |
| 08/02/20 | Nottingham Forest 2-0 Leeds | Championship |
| 10/08/19 | Leeds 1-1 Nottingham Forest | Championship |
| 01/01/19 | Nottingham Forest 4-2 Leeds | Championship |
Conclusion: Will Leeds Make Home Advantage Count?
Friday night’s clash at Elland Road looks set to be a tense affair. Leeds’ greater attacking output and home support could tip the balance, but Forest’s tendency to keep games close means both teams to score looks a value play. Backing Leeds to win at 6/5 (45.5%) with Bet365 offers the best combination of form and value for punters.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
