Nottingham Forest vs Leeds prediction: Whites can make winning start at City Ground
Tom Clark
Leeds are unbeaten in 16 of their last 18 season-opening games (W9, D7)
Both meetings between Leeds and Nottingham Forest last season finished 3-1, with Leeds victorious in the most recent encounter in February
Recommended bet: Leeds to win & both teams to score at 9/2 with LiveScore Bet
Nottingham Forest welcome Leeds to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon as the Premier League returns for the 2026-27 season, with both sides looking to make a positive start.
Forest have a new man in the dugout with Oliver Glasner handed the reins, while Ousmane Diomande and Xaver Schlager are among the notable additions to the squad.
Leeds, meanwhile, have retained Daniel Farke as manager and strengthened with the likes of James Trafford, Harry Wilson, Nico Elvedi and Tarik Muharemovic.
Both teams finished last season strongly and will be targeting an improved campaign, but Leeds arrive with the stronger recent away record.
The Whites avoided defeat in seven of their final eight Premier League away matches last term, while Forest won only one of their final 11 home league games.
There are also plenty of reasons to expect goals. Both meetings last season finished 3-1, with Leeds winning the most recent clash in February.
Team news
Forest could hand competitive debuts to Diomande and Schlager, with Glasner looking to establish his preferred system at the City Ground.
Morgan Gibbs-White remains a key attacking threat after finishing last season as Forest's top scorer with 15 Premier League goals.
Nicolo Savona is Forest's only injury issue, with the Italian still sidelined after a lengthy absence.
Leeds have also made significant additions, with Trafford, Wilson and Muharemovic expected to start in Farke's side, and most recent signing Elvedi could be involved.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will lead the attack after scoring 14 Premier League goals last season.
Farke has several injury concerns, including doubts over Ilia Gruev and Lucas Perri, while Gabrield Gudmundsson, Mateo Joseph and Wilfried Gnoto are out of this clash.
The stats
Leeds avoided defeat in seven of their final eight away Premier League matches last season.
Forest won only one of their final 11 home league matches last season.
Both meetings between the sides last season finished 3-1.
Leeds scored 49 goals last season, with Calvert-Lewin contributing 14.
Morgan Gibbs-White scored 15 Premier League goals for Forest last season.
Forest scored in each of their final eight matches of last season.
The latest Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
There is plenty to suggest this could be an entertaining opening-day contest, with both teams possessing enough attacking quality to find the net.
The two meetings last season produced four goals apiece, while Forest ended the campaign by scoring in eight consecutive matches. Leeds also have a proven goalscorer in Calvert-Lewin, who found the net 14 times last season.
The visitors' stronger away record makes them appear capable of taking the points, but Forest should have enough attacking threat to contribute to the scoreline.
Glasner's arrival could also give the hosts an attacking lift, although his side may take time to settle defensively.
With both teams capable of scoring and the recent meetings producing plenty of goals, backing both teams to score and over 2.5 goals appeals.
Score prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Leeds United
Back Leeds to win & both teams to score at 9/2 with LiveScore Bet
