Nottm Forest vs Leeds: Preview & Prediction

Sunday 5th February 2023

Nottm Forest vs Leeds: Preview & Prediction

England Premier League
Sunday 5th February 2023
Kick off at 2pm GMT
Venue: City Ground

Match Preview:

Nottingham Forest will be fresh from being knocked out of the EFL Cup by Manchester United at the semi-final stage but it won’t affect them too much given that the tie was effectively over the in the first leg. The priority this season has always been about maintaining their Premier League statuts. 

As it stands Steve Cooper’s side are in 13th place which is more than acceptable, but this league is a close one and they are in fact just 4 points from the bottom three. Forest’s form has improved vastly and they have gone their last four games without defeat with two draws against Chelsea and Bournemouth and victories over Southampton and Leicester. Because of their goal difference Forest cannot climb up the table this weekend even with a win here but they could join Crystal Palace on the same points. Cooper’s side have once again been busy in the transfer market and one of their eye catching deals in this winter window was being able to bring in Keylor Navas from PSG on loan. Andre Ayew who was a free transfer has also joined and Forest certainly has a wide range of players to choose from.

Leeds are in 15th place but with 18 points they are just one point from the bottom three. The club look well on their way to facing a relegation battle and have shown signs up until now that it will be the case just like it was last season. There has been some good news lately, with the club advancing in the FA Cup as they overcame Accrington Stanley and in the league they have lost just once in their last four games but the other matches have not been wins but draws. Leeds last game finished 0-0 against Brentford. 

 

Team News:

Nottingham Forest: Dean Henderson isn’t expected back for another two weeks with a thigh injury. Taiwo Awoniyi is still sidelined due to his groin injury. Morgan Gibbs-White is out with his ankle, Jesse Lingard is expected to miss out again due to problems related to his Achilles. Chiekhou Kouyate has a hamstring injury and looks like he will miss another 4 weeks. Chris Wood will be assessed as he has been ill for the past week.

Leeds: Robin Koch is suspended as he has picked up his fifth yellow card of the season. Rodrigo is out for two months with an ankle injury, Sonny Perkins won’t return for at least 10 days due to his ankle injury. Archie Gray has recovered from injury but has some fitness issues and looks set to once again miss out, Stuart Dallas is out with no fixed return date with a leg problem. 

 

Nottm Forest vs Leeds Head to Head:

The last time the teams played this fixture was in 2020 and Nottingham Forest won 2-0.

It’s been 6 games since Leeds beat Forest going back to 2017.

There is an 80% chance to see under 2.5 goals.

 

Nottm Forest vs Leeds Prediction:

With victory here Leeds would go past Forest on goal difference and the players will know this so it could well add the spice to proceedings at the City Ground. Forest will be encouraged by new signings and being at home and the fact that Leeds have one of the poorest away records in the league having managed just 5 points from a possible 30. Leeds injuries are building and while Forest’s are too they have a large enough squad to deal with it so whilst we think this could be a close game we will be backing the home side to pick up the maximum points here.

For Forest Brennan Johnson looks like outstanding value at 3.25 to score a goal. He’s been hungry in front of goal lately, looks sharp and wants to make a point to the manager and he scored two goals in Forest’s last home game so along with backing the home side we will be backing him to score. Leeds have suffered too much on the road and we feel this will continue throughout the season and their hope of picking up consistent points will be at home and perhaps not in games like this. Let’s also remember that Forest has an excellent recent record over the visitors too.

 

Nottm Forest vs Leeds Betting Tips:

Draw no bet (Nottingham Forest) at 1.86

Anytime goalscorer: Brennan Johnson at 3.25

 

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