Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest – Match preview and team news

The Premier League weekend ignites at Elland Road on Friday night as Leeds United and Nottingham Forest clash in a pivotal battle for mid-table security.

Both sides sit locked on 26 points, aiming to establish a nine-point buffer from the relegation zone as the season enters its critical final third. Daniel Farke views this encounter as a prime opportunity to exploit Leeds’ formidable record in night matches. Notably, the Whites have won all four of their evening kick-offs at home this season.

Conversely, Sean Dyche’s Forest arrive enjoying their longest unbeaten streak of the campaign (two wins, two draws). They look to secure a first top-flight league double over their hosts since the 1995–96 season. Only goal difference separates these rivals. Consequently, the stakes remain high for a fixture that often rewards the side with the greater “killer instinct”.

Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest – Match Preview and Team News

Date: Friday, 6 February 2026
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
Venue: Elland Road, Leeds
Referee: Peter Bankes
VAR: Craig Pawson
Last Meeting: Nottingham Forest 3–1 Leeds (9 Nov 2025), Premier League

Team News

Leeds United

Daniel Farke deals with mixed news regarding his squad availability. Midfielder Anton Stach (hip) and forward Lukas Nmecha (hamstring) miss this clash. However, significant boosts arrive as Jaka Bijol, James Justin, and winger Daniel James return to the squad. Consequently, Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the line. He has scored nine goals this term. A goal tonight makes him the first Englishman to hit double figures in a debut Leeds season since Matt Smith in 2014.

Nottingham Forest

The Tricky Trees are navigating a depleted squad following a bruising draw with Crystal Palace. Neco Williams is suspended following his red card, while Matz Sels (hip), Callum Hudson-Odoi (shoulder), and Nicolo Savona (knee) have all been ruled out. January signing Stefan Ortega is poised to make his debut in goal. Igor Jesus is expected to lead the line, supported by Morgan Gibbs-White, who has been involved in four goals in his last five appearances.

Form

Leeds United

The Whites are looking to recapture their home momentum after a heavy 4–0 defeat to league leaders Arsenal ended an unbeaten run at Elland Road. Despite winning only one of their last seven league games, Farke’s men have been resilient at home against teams outside the top three, losing only once in 10 such matches (W5 D4). Leeds have drawn six of their last 10 league matches, reflecting a trend of tight, low-scoring encounters.

Nottingham Forest

Sean Dyche has successfully steadied the ship, with Forest currently on a four-match unbeaten run (W2 D2) in the Premier League. They have travelled particularly well lately, with four of their last five top-flight victories coming on the road. However, clinical finishing remains a concern; only bottom-side Wolves have a lower shot conversion rate than Forest’s 8.5% this season. Defensively, they are seeking a third consecutive clean sheet in the Premier League for the first time in over a year.

Predicted Lineups

Leeds United Predicted XI: Darlow; Bornauw, Rodon, Struijk; Bogle, Ampadu, Gruev, Justin; Stach, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin

Nottingham Forest Predicted XI: Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Morato; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Dominguez; Jesus

How to Watch Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest?

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, and Sky Sports Ultra HDR. Coverage starts at 19:30 GMT ahead of the 20:00 kick-off.