MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 10:06:59| >> :120:48552:48552:
[monks data]
Nottingham Forest logo
Premier League | Gameweek 22
Feb 5, 2023 at 2pm UK
City Ground
Leeds logo

Nott'm Forest
1 - 0
Leeds

Johnson (14')
Danilo (30'), Boly (52'), Williams (55'), Surridge (90+1')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Struijk (13'), Wober (77')

Preview: Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds United - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Premier League clash between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

With the bottom eight teams in the Premier League table separated by just six points, it is difficult to overstate the importance of Sunday's clash between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.

As it stands, Forest find themselves three points above Leeds, who sit one point clear of the relegation zone, so both sides will be desperate to pick up a positive result at the City Ground.


Match preview

Brennan Johnson celebrates scoring for Nottingham Forest against Leicester City on January 14, 2023© Reuters

It is no secret that Nottingham Forest endured a difficult start to the season as they struggled to adapt to the demands of top-flight football, winning just one of their first 11 Premier League matches after gaining promotion via the playoffs.

Following a damaging five-game losing run between August and October, it looked as though Steve Cooper's side were destined for a swift return to the Championship, but they have gradually turned the tide over the past few months.

Indeed, the Tricky Trees have only lost two of their previous 10 Premier League outings – picking up four wins and four draws along the way – and they head into Sunday's showdown on a four-game unbeaten streak in the league.

On top of that, Forest have avoided defeat in each of their last six home games in the Premier League – winning three of their previous five – with a victory over Liverpool and a draw against Chelsea coming in that time.

The East Midlands outfit conceded a whopping 21 goals across their opening eight league matches, scoring just six in reply, but they have only conceded 14 goals in their past 12 league outings, highlighting their defensive improvements.

Although Forest suffered a 5-0 aggregate defeat to Manchester United in the EFL Cup semi-finals earlier this week, Cooper's men will be confident of bouncing straight back against Leeds, having generated some much-needed momentum in the Premier League.

Leeds United's Jack Harrison celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates on January 28, 2023© Reuters

In contrast, Leeds United made a bright start to the campaign – registering two wins, three draws and two losses across their first seven Premier League matches – but they failed to build on their promising early-season form.

After suffering four consecutive league defeats in October, the Whites briefly stopped the rot with back-to-back victories over Liverpool and Bournemouth, but they have failed to find a league win since then, recording three draws and three losses in the process.

The FA Cup has served as a welcome distraction from their Premier League struggles in recent weeks, as Leeds thrashed Cardiff City 5-2 in a third-round replay before booking their place in the last 16 with a 3-1 win against Accrington Stanley.

That said, it will not be easy for Jesse Marsch's men to carry their FA Cup form onto the top-flight stage, as they have managed to win just two of their last 16 Premier League encounters, losing seven of their previous 12.

Having registered one win, two draws and six losses away from home, Leeds have only taken five points from a possible 27 on their travels this season, meaning they hold the second-worst away record in the division.

Marsch's men can take confidence from the fact that they have scored more away goals than nine Premier League teams this term, although Forest have kept three clean sheets in their last five home league games, preventing Liverpool, Crystal Palace and Leicester City from scoring.

Nottingham Forest Premier League form:


Nottingham Forest form (all competitions):


Leeds United Premier League form:


Leeds United form (all competitions):



Team News

Nottingham Forest's Serge Aurier celebrates scoring their first goal with Joe Worrall on January 1, 2023© Reuters

Following another flurry of arrivals at the City Ground, Forest could hand debuts to Jonjo Shelvey, Andrew Ayew and Felipe this weekend, although the newcomers are not likely to feature in the starting XI.

However, Paris Saint-Germain loanee Keylor Navas is expected to start between the sticks for the hosts, as Dean Henderson remains sidelined with a hamstring problem.

Forest's lengthy injury list also contains Morgan Gibbs-White, Taiwo Awoniyi, Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhate, while there are question marks over the fitness of Ryan Yates, Chris Wood and Jack Colback due to illness.

Renan Lodi and Serge Aurier should occupy the full-back positions on Sunday, with Brazilian youngster Danilo sitting in front of the back four, allowing the likes of Brennan Johnson and Gustavo Scarpa to roam forward.

Leeds also made a number of notable signings during the winter transfer window, bringing in Maximilian Wober, Georginio Rutter and Weston McKennie, with the latter yet to feature for the club.

With Rodrigo expected to be out for around two months following ankle surgery, Rutter could make his Premier League debut on Sunday, having started against Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup last time out.

Adam Forshaw, Crysencio Summerville and Stuart Dallas remain sidelined due to injury, while Robin Koch is suspended after picking up five yellow cards, so Junior Firpo is likely to replace Koch in the starting XI.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Navas; Aurier, Worrall, Boly, Lodi; Danilo, Freuler, Mangala; Scarpa; Johnson, Surridge

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Ayling, Wober, Struijk, Firpo; Adams, Roca; Aaronson, Gnonto, Harrison; Bamford


SM words green background

We say: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Leeds United


Having avoided defeat in each of their previous six home league matches, Nottingham Forest will be confident of extending their unbeaten run at the City Ground, but the hosts might have to settle for a draw this weekend.

Leeds United have netted six goals across their last four away league outings, scoring two at Anfield and three at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, so they are more than capable of frustrating their relegation rivals.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data


ID:505795:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect16338:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Nott'm Forest vs Leeds

Nottingham Forest
46.8%
Draw
21.0%
Leeds United
32.2%
205
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Benfica's Enzo Fernandez pictured on August 5, 2022
Read Next:
Which Premier League clubs won and lost the January transfer window?
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sunderland1695226121432
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd1610422191232
3Burnley168621961330
4Leeds UnitedLeeds158522491529
5Middlesbrough1683529191027
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom166821811726
7Watford168262524126
8Millwall166641914524
9Blackburn RoversBlackburn156451917222
10Bristol City165742020022
11Derby CountyDerby165562020020
12Stoke CityStoke165561920-120
13Norwich CityNorwich164752524119
14Swansea CitySwansea155461110119
15Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds165471826-819
16Luton TownLuton165381826-818
17Coventry CityCoventry164572223-117
18Oxford UnitedOxford Utd164571924-517
19Plymouth ArgylePlymouth164571728-1117
20Preston North EndPreston163761624-816
21Cardiff CityCardiff164481524-916
22Hull City163671621-515
23Portsmouth152671628-1212
24Queens Park RangersQPR161871326-1311


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!