Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Prediction, Probable Lineups, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

Leeds United hosts Nottingham Forest, with both sides fighting to stay off the bottom three of the Premier League table.

Javi Gracia will look to bounce back from the disappointing result at the weekend against Arsenal and get his team back on track. The Spaniard arrived following a dreadful run of games under Jesse Marsch, and so far, in his six games, he has delivered two wins and a draw.

The result against Arsenal was the general expectation, but they must muster up the courage and face another relegation battler in Nottingham Forest. A single point separates the two teams, but the result against the Gunners put Leeds in 17th, level on points with 18th-placed Everton.

Everton could climb above Leeds if they manage a positive result against Tottenham. Gracia will hope his team secures three points against Nottingham Forest. With ten games to go for the Eland Road outfit, the times are tough, and they will also face Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Steve Cooper’s job has come under scrutiny following a run of bad results. They might have come away with a draw at the weekend against fellow strugglers Wolves, but their recent results have kept the pressure on the Forest manager.

Much like Tuesday’s opponents Leeds, Forest have a tough run of fixtures in their last 10 games of the season. Cooper will rue the weekend’s result, where they seemed destined to hold on to their slender lead through Brennan Johnson. However, to Cooper’s dismay, Daniel Podence popped up with a late equaliser to share the spoils.

Cooper will hope for a win against Leeds and take advantage of their plight. Forest next faces Aston Villa away from home, which could become a tough place to get points. A few more bad results could put the team in the bottom three and cost the manager his job in the final run of games.

Team News & Tactics

Leeds United

As it’s only a short while since the Arsenal defeat, Gracia will not expect some of his key absentees to return. Wilfried Gnonto, Tyler Adams, Adam Forshaw, Stuart Dallas, and Max Wober will all miss the Forest clash. The manager made some tweaks to the lineup on Saturday, keeping the midweek clash in mind.

Weston McKennie, Rodrigo and Liam Cooper remained on the bench before a late cameo. The trio could return to the starting lineup against Forest. Cooper could partner Pascal Struijk in central defence, while the Spaniard could replace Crysencio Summerville up front.

Gracia could revert to a 4-3-3 shape and use Rasmus Kristensen in a midfield three. Marc Roca would likely sit at the base of midfield, with McKennie operating from the right side. Luke Ayling should continue as right back, and the same would go for Junior Firpo on the other flank.

Rodrigo could lead the line for Leeds in the attack, and Giorginio Rutter could also return on the left side. Patrick Bamford will likely remain a bench option, while Luis Sinisterra might retain his place on the right side of the front three.

Probable lineup (4-3-3): Meslier; Ayling, Cooper, Struijk, Firpo; McKennie, Roca, Kristensen; Sinisterra, Rodrigo, Rutter

Nottingham Forest

Forest have a long list of injured stars out of action. As many as eight players could miss the midweek game against Leeds. However, Cooper insisted Serge Aurier, Gustavo Scarpa, and Andre Ayew will be reportedly assessed before the clash. The short period since the weekend effectively rules them out.

Cooper would want his key players for as many games as possible in the late run-in. Hence, it’s unlikely that he would risk some of his injured stars against Leeds. The manager will go with a 4-3-2-1 shape, allowing more protection in the midfield area.

He will keep faith in Neco Williams and Renan Lodi as full-backs. Filipe and Moussa Niakhate will maintain their central defensive partnership. Orel Mangala and Cheikhou Kouyate will play on either side of Remo Frueler in the base of midfield.

Cooper could rely on Morgan Gibbs-White in the attack to lead the line as a false-nine. He will have Johnson and Emmanuel Dennis behind him for support. Forest will hope for firepower from their attackers to collect three points.

Probable Lineup (4-3-2-1): Navas; Williams, Filipe, Niakhate, Lodi; Mangala, Freuler, Kouyate; Johnson, Dennis; Gibbs-White

Key Stats

• Leeds United have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 7 home matches against Nottingham Forest in all competitions.
• Leeds United have lost 3 of their last 4 matches against Nottingham Forest.
• Leeds United have two wins in their last six games in the Premier League.
• Nottingham Forest are winless in their last 7 Premier League matches.
• Nottingham Forest have the joint away record in the Premier League this season.

Player to Watch

Brennan Johnson

The forward continued with his impressive form up front, and his goals might be the reason for where Forest are right now. Yet, with the gap between the bottom three and where his team are right now not very big, Johnson will have to up his tempo and goalscoring record.

Fans naturally look to him for solutions to his form. The game against Leeds and Forest are a potential six-pointer, and Johnson will have to show his best form to get something for his team. A good performance at Elland Road will benefit Forest and the forward’s confidence.

Prediction

Leeds United 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Leeds United’s home record have been one of the standalone takeaways from their otherwise dreadful season. While their form at Elland Road remains far from impeccable, they have always shown enough grit and energy to maintain control of the game here.

Against Forest, they face a team who have the joint-worst away record in the division, and many will expect it to continue. Forest faces the danger of getting dragged into the bottom three. They might find themselves worse than their current standing, as Leeds could pip them for the three points at Elland Road.