Nottingham Forest Leeds United Leeds UnitedPlayer stats will appear once the competition begins.
Nottingham ForestNo absentees
Leeds UnitedNo absentees
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Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United is a lively-looking 3pm kick-off at the City Ground, with the hosts narrow favourites against a Leeds side that will be aiming higher this season.
Forest have home advantage and the better recent record in a fixture that tends to produce goals. Andy Francis has the best bets, our score prediction and the head-to-head record below. The game kicks off at 3pm BST on Saturday, August 22nd.
Premium Tips
Andy leans towards the hosts and goals, with the recent meetings between these sides open and entertaining.
| Premium Tip | Odds | Why we’re backing it |
|---|---|---|
| Both Teams To Score & Over 3.5 Goals | 11/4 | This fixture has a habit of delivering goals at both ends. Forest have won three of the last five meetings and Leeds two, but rarely with a clean sheet involved. Chris Wood and Morgan Gibbs-White give Forest a cutting edge at home, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Joel Piroe carry enough threat to trouble a Forest defence that had a difficult 2025-26. Neither side looks watertight at the back, and with the City Ground crowd pushing the hosts on, an open, end-to-end contest with chances for both teams feels the likeliest shape, making 3.5 goals and BTTS a fair line at 11/4. |
| Ethan Ampadu to be booked, Morgan Gibbs-White and Dominic Calvert-Lewin over 0.5 shots on target | 7/1 | Ethan Ampadu sits at the base of Leeds’ midfield and does much of the side’s defensive work, a role that has seen him pick up bookings at a steady rate, rarely far from the referee’s notebook. Morgan Gibbs-White pulls the strings for Forest and is their most regular shooter from midfield, while Calvert-Lewin’s aerial presence and instinct for the box should see him get at least one effort on target as Leeds look to make an early mark on their trip to the City Ground. Combining a near-certain caution with two attacking outlets finding the target gives this 7/1 line real appeal. |
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware — gambleaware.org · Odds correct at time of publishing.
How Nottingham Forest go into the game
Nottingham Forest had a mixed 2025-26, finishing 16th on 44 points after a tougher season than the previous campaign. The City Ground remains an intimidating venue and they will want a strong start.
Chris Wood leads the line, with Morgan Gibbs-White pulling the strings behind him. Forest have won recent home meetings with Leeds and will fancy their chances again.
How Leeds United go into the game
Leeds United finished 14th last season on 47 points, doing enough to secure their top-flight status in a battling campaign. Elland Road remained a fortress, but form on the road was harder to come by.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Joel Piroe carry the attacking threat, with plenty of energy across the side. A tough opening trip to the City Ground will test their resolve early.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United head-to-head
| Date | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 06/02/26 | Leeds United | 3-1 | Nottingham Forest |
| 09/11/25 | Nottingham Forest | 3-1 | Leeds United |
| 04/04/23 | Leeds United | 2-1 | Nottingham Forest |
| 05/02/23 | Nottingham Forest | 1-0 | Leeds United |
| 08/02/20 | Nottingham Forest | 2-0 | Leeds United |
Recent meetings have been high-scoring and gone with home advantage, Forest winning three of the last five and Leeds two. There is rarely much to separate them.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest to win | 5/4 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Home edge and a strong recent home record. |
| Both teams to score | 4/6 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Open, high-scoring recent meetings. |
| Chris Wood anytime scorer | 7/5 | ⭐⭐⭐ | Forest’s reliable focal point up front. |
| Over 2.5 goals | 10/11 | ⭐⭐ | Goals have flowed in this fixture. |
| Nottingham Forest to win 2-1 | 9/1 | ⭐⭐ | Our headline scoreline for a home win. |
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United score prediction
This has the makings of an open, competitive contest between two sides who know each other well. Forest’s home advantage and superior recent record in the fixture should just about tell in a game with goals in it. Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Leeds United.
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