Nottingham Forest
Leeds United
>Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Prediction & Betting Tips – 22/08/2026
The City Ground plays host to a mouth-watering curtain-raiser on 22 August as Nottingham Forest welcome Leeds United in the opening round of the 2026-27 Premier League season. Both sides finished in the bottom half last term and will be desperate to lay down an early marker. The fixture carries extra intrigue given the clubs meet again just days later in the EFL Cup, but bragging rights and three points take priority here. Forest and Leeds shared the spoils across their two league encounters last season, each claiming a 3-1 home victory.
Match Analysis
Nottingham Forest open their Premier League campaign as favourites at 2.30, backed by home advantage at The City Ground and a five-game run of 3W-1D-1L to close last season, giving them a solid foundation despite significant defensive absentees.
- 3W-1D-1L in their last five league games, finishing the previous campaign in strong form.
- 3-1 home win over Leeds in the most recent City Ground meeting in November 2025.
- Strong pre-season results, including a 2-1 victory against Bayer Leverkusen, suggest sharpness in attack.
- Leeds arrive with three confirmed absentees, including Gudmundsson and Gruev, limiting their structural depth.
Leeds United arrive at 3.00, carrying genuine momentum from a 4-0 pre-season demolition of FC Augsburg and a 3W-2D-0L closing run, yet face a daunting task navigating Forest's atmosphere with key personnel missing across multiple positions.
- Gudmundsson and Gruev both confirmed out, removing a key wide outlet and midfield anchor.
- Mateo Joseph sidelined with a cruciate tear, reducing Leeds' attacking depth significantly.
- Away record in this fixture is poor, with a 3-1 defeat at The City Ground as recently as November 2025.
Key point: With both defences severely depleted yet attacking options also limited, the double chance covering home or draw at 2.30 offers the most defensible value in this disrupted opener.
Form & Statistics: Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United
Nottingham Forest
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Leeds United
Recent form
Season statistics (5)
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United: Head-to-Head
Average statistics (recent meetings)
Our Verdict
The double chance 1X represents our pick for this fixture, backed by Forest's home advantage at the City Ground, where they finished last season with two wins and a draw in their final three outings. Leeds arrive with solid recent form but face the challenge of bedding in several debutants, including Wilson, Muharemovic, and Trafford. The home win price of 2.30 anchors this selection, offering coverage should Forest secure all three points. With both sides well matched on paper, a draw at 3.50 provides the safety net that makes this wager appealing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bet for Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United?
The double chance covering a Forest win or a draw is the most defensible position here, reflected in the 2.30 on offer. Both sides carry notable injury concerns, and with this being a season opener, caution suits the forecast. Forest's home advantage at The City Ground offers a mild edge, but a share of the spoils remains entirely plausible.
What time does Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United kick off?
The match kicks off at 14:00 UTC on Saturday, 22nd August 2026, which corresponds to 15:00 BST for viewers in the United Kingdom. The fixture takes place at The City Ground in Nottingham, Forest's historic home ground situated on the banks of the River Trent.
Where can I watch Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United on TV?
Broadcast details for this Premier League fixture have not been confirmed in the information available to us at the time of writing. We would recommend checking the official Premier League website or your domestic broadcaster's schedule to confirm which channel will carry live coverage of this match.
What is Nottingham Forest's recent record against Leeds United?
The two most recent meetings between these sides have produced a perfectly symmetrical head-to-head record. Forest claimed a 3-1 victory at The City Ground in November 2025, only for Leeds to respond with an equally emphatic 3-1 win at Elland Road in February 2026, leaving neither side with a clear psychological advantage.