BETTING GUIDE: Leeds vs Nottingham Forest, match preview, team news and betting tips
Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 06.02.26. | 08:58
As two sides nervously glancing over their shoulders at the bottom three, this clash carries huge significance, with both teams knowing that a positive result could provide crucial breathing room as the season enters its final stretch.
Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, separated only by goal difference in the Premier League table, meet at Elland Road on Friday night in a high-stakes relegation six-pointer.
As two sides nervously glancing over their shoulders at the bottom three, this clash carries huge significance, with both teams knowing that a positive result could provide crucial breathing room as the season enters its final stretch.
With both clubs locked on 26 points after 24 matches, this encounter could shape the relegation picture heading into February.
Leeds United were widely tipped for relegation at the start of the season, but Daniel Farke’s side have shown resilience. After beating Everton on opening day, Leeds struggled through the autumn before reigniting their campaign with a 3-1 win over Chelsea in December.
They sit 16th, six points clear of the bottom three.
In their last five matches, Leeds have scored eight goals and conceded ten, averaging 1.6 goals for and two against. Their most recent outing was a heavy 4-0 defeat to Arsenal, but that was only their second loss in 11 league games.
At Elland Road, Leeds have collected 19 of their 26 points, winning five of 12 home fixtures. Injuries remain a concern for the hosts.
Jaka Bijol, Daniel James and Lukas Nmecha are all sidelined, though Farke is expected to retain his five-man defensive system.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains the key attacking threat, having scored nine league goals this season, despite slowing down after a prolific December.
Nottingham Forest arrive in 17th position following a chaotic season marked by managerial changes.
After finishing seventh last term, Forest dismissed Nuno Espirito Santo early on, endured a winless spell under Ange Postecoglou, and eventually found stability under Sean Dyche.
Forest are now unbeaten in four league matches.
Across their last five games, Forest have scored seven goals and conceded two, averaging just 0.6 goals conceded per match.
Away from home, they have earned 14 points from 12 matches but have scored only 11 goals on the road, one of the lowest tallies in the division.
Forest’s injury list is lengthy, with Matz Sels, Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi all ruled out, while Neco Williams is suspended.
January signing Stefan Ortega could debut in goal, and Morgan Gibbs-White remains central, contributing to 33 percent of Forest’s league goals.
Historically, Forest hold the edge, winning three of the last six meetings, including a 3-1 victory in November.
However, they have not won at Elland Road since 2016, and both teams have scored in the last three meetings here.
Key Betting Pointers;
Seven of Leeds’ last 10 league games have ended with both teams scoring.
Leeds have only kept one clean sheet in their last 10 home league matches.
Nottingham Forest have only failed to score in one of their last five league games.
Nottingham Forest are averaging 1.49 xGA per 90 in the league this season.
Both teams scored in the last three matches between these sides at this venue.
With Leeds strong at home but defensively fragile, and Forest improving yet rarely dominant away, goals at both ends look likely.
Prediction; Both Teams to Score.
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