Both direct Premier League meetings in 2025/26 produced goals for both sides (3-1 and 1-3). Leeds demonstrated potent offensive form across their pre-season, scoring in four of their five matches, while Forest netted multiple goals in their most recent home outings.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds prediction
- Round
- Regular Season - 1
- Venue
- City Ground, Nottingham
- Referee
- Robert Jones, England
Published by the BetGenius Editorial Desk · Editorial policy
Recent form
Last 5 matches · 1W-1D-3L · -3 goal difference
Last 5 matches · 1W-2D-2L · -1 goal difference
Our verdict
BetGenius backs Yes (Both Teams to Score) at 68% confidence — a solid call. Total goals: Over 2.5 Goals.
Match preview
Nottingham Forest welcome Leeds United to the City Ground for an intriguing Premier League encounter to kick off their league campaign. Both sides enter the new season with optimism following solid preparation in pre-season fixtures, looking to establish early momentum.
Nottingham Forest closed out their friendly campaign with encouraging home victories over Bayer Leverkusen (2-1) and Stade Brestois (2-0), demonstrating solid attacking sharpness in front of their home supporters. Leeds United, meanwhile, impressed across their summer schedule, which included high-scoring wins against Liverpool (4-2) and FC Augsburg (4-0).
Recent head-to-head encounters between these two clubs have delivered open, competitive football. During the 2025/26 league campaign, each team claimed a decisive 3-1 victory on their respective home ground. Given Leeds' prolific form in warm-up games and Forest's strong home scoring record against the Whites, another lively contest with scoring opportunities at both ends is expected.
Key factors
- Both Premier League meetings between the sides in the 2025/26 season ended in 3-1 scorelines, with both teams finding the net.
- Nottingham Forest won their last two home friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen (2-1) and Stade Brestois (2-0).
- Leeds displayed potent attacking form across pre-season, including 4-goal displays against Liverpool and FC Augsburg.
- The City Ground has been a fortress for Forest in this fixture, having won their last two competitive home matches against Leeds.
- Neither side has reported injury absences heading into the fixture.
Team news
Nottingham Forest
- Igor JesusCalf Injury
- N. SavonaKnee Injury
Leeds
- M. JosephKnee Injury
- J. RodonMuscle Injury
- D. JamesBack Injury
Statistical comparison
Combined scoring rate: 1 goals per game (Nottingham Forest at home plus Leeds away).
Table context
| # | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | ChelseaPromotion - Champions League (League phase) | 7 | +4 | 13 |
| 5 | LiverpoolPromotion - Europa League (League phase) | 7 | +1 | 12 |
| 6 | Brentford | 7 | +5 | 10 |
| 7 | Leeds | 7 | +3 | 10 |
| 8 | Everton | 7 | +1 | 10 |
| 9 | Ipswich | 8 | -4 | 10 |
| 10 | Hull City | 7 | +1 | 9 |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 7 | -8 | 7 |
| 15 | Bournemouth | 7 | -4 | 6 |
| 16 | Tottenham | 7 | -4 | 6 |
| 17 | Nottingham Forest | 8 | -4 | 6 |
| 18 | CoventryRelegation - Championship | 7 | -8 | 6 |
| 19 | FulhamRelegation - Championship | 7 | -3 | 5 |
| 20 | SunderlandRelegation - Championship | 7 | -8 | 4 |
Head-to-head
- 4
- Nottingham Forest
- 1
- Draws
- 4
- Leeds
the last 9 meetings are split 4-4 with 1 drawn, averaging 2.8 goals a game.
- 2026-08-22Nottingham Forest0-1Leeds
- 2026-02-06Leeds3-1Nottingham Forest
- 2025-11-09Nottingham Forest3-1Leeds
- 2023-07-27Nottingham Forest0-2Leeds
- 2023-04-04Leeds2-1Nottingham Forest
Our record in Premier League
Settled results only — every published pick is recorded win or lose. Full track record →
Based on at least 20 settled predictions.1 published market
More from BetGenius
Understand these picks
- Both teams to score: BTTS predictions · How BTTS settles · BTTS record
Other Premier League predictions
Published August 23, 2026. Form, team news and table context refresh automatically.

