Nottingham Forest
Leeds United
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Prediction & Betting Tips – 25/08/2026
Nottingham Forest welcome Leeds United to The City Ground on 25 August for a Carabao Cup second-round tie that carries a peculiar edge. The two sides will have met just three days earlier in their Premier League opener, making this an instant rematch with fresh tactical wounds still raw. For Oliver Glasner, it represents his first cup fixture as Forest boss. Daniel Farke, meanwhile, will weigh squad rotation against the desire to build early momentum after a summer of heavy investment. Cup magic and rivalry collide under the Trent End floodlights.
Match Analysis
Nottingham Forest enter this Carabao Cup second-round tie as marginal favorites at 2.60, backed by a draw-heavy home record and Oliver Glasner's tactical stability signal after his Conference League triumph with Crystal Palace.
- 8 draws in 19 home PL games last season underlines Forest's hard-to-beat home profile.
- 1.34 goals conceded per home game in 2025/26 points to a defensively compact City Ground outfit.
- Pre-season wins over Bayer Leverkusen (2-1) and Brest (2-0) suggest positive early momentum under Glasner.
- Home advantage eliminates travel burden in a back-to-back fixture played just 48 hours after the PL opener.
Leeds United face a steep challenge at 3.50, arriving with a heavily disrupted squad. Gruev (long-term knee), Gudmundsson (hamstring, four weeks out), and doubts over Perri and Gnonto represent serious depth concerns for a cup rotation fixture.
- 5 injury or availability concerns including two long-term absentees significantly thin Leeds' squad options.
- Doubtful goalkeeper Lucas Perri adds positional vulnerability at a critical moment for a side spending £40m on a stopper.
- 14th-place finish last season and no cup pedigree signal Leeds struggle to impose themselves away from home.
Key point: With both squads rotating heavily and Forest's low-scoring home profile, the under 2.5 goals market at 1.95 offers a compelling complement to the home-or-draw prediction.
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
Forest's draw-heavy home record last season, with eight stalemates in nineteen Premier League fixtures at The City Ground, makes the double chance 1X our preferred selection. The home win is available at 2.60, offering reasonable value given Forest's solid pre-season form under Glasner. Leeds have drawn twice in their last four outings, reinforcing the likelihood of a tight contest. Backing Forest not to lose covers both outcomes neatly, and the head-to-head record further supports this pick. For secondary interest, under 2.5 goals at 1.95 complements the cautious profile of this fixture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best bet for Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United?
The 1X double chance, backing Forest not to lose, is the most compelling option here, covered by the home side at 2.60. Leeds arrive with a heavily disrupted squad, missing Gruev, Gudmundsson, and Joseph among others, while Oliver Glasner's tactical stability at The City Ground tips the balance. Forest's draw-heavy home profile last season further supports this cautious, measured selection.
What time does Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United kick off?
This Carabao Cup second-round fixture kicks off on 25th August 2026 at The City Ground, Nottingham. The stadium, one of English football's most atmospheric venues, sits on the banks of the River Trent. Please check your local listings for the precise kickoff time, as broadcast scheduling may affect the confirmed hour in your territory.
Where can I watch Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United on TV?
Broadcast arrangements for Carabao Cup second-round fixtures can vary depending on your territory and provider. In the United Kingdom, EFL Cup matches at this stage are typically shared across Sky Sports and TNT Sports, with some fixtures streamed via the EFL iFollow platform. We recommend checking your local listings or the official EFL website to confirm coverage details for this particular match.
What is Nottingham Forest's recent record against Leeds United?
The recent head-to-head record between these two sides is perfectly balanced. In November 2025, Forest ran out 3-1 winners at home, only for Leeds to respond emphatically with a 3-1 victory of their own in February 2026. Two meetings, two contrasting results, and no directional edge to speak of heading into this Carabao Cup encounter.