Get our Nottingham Forest vs Leeds prediction with bet builder tips, probable lineups, and latest odds. Find the best betting insights for this EFL Cup tie.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Match Summary
Competition | EFL Cup |
|---|---|
Match Date | Tuesday 25 August 2026 |
Match Time | 20:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | City Ground, Nottingham |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | ITV 1, ITV Interactive, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Football |
Nottingham Forest host Leeds at the City Ground on Tuesday night in the EFL Cup, and it is a fixture with an edge after their recent meetings.
Forest go in as favourites on home soil, with Chris Wood set to lead the line and Callum Hudson-Odoi and Xaver Schlager in line for recalls to the side.
Leeds arrive with confidence, having got the better of Forest on the opening weekend, and boss Daniel Farke must weigh up how hard to rotate given a busy early-season schedule.
Leeds have won four of the six previous competitive meetings between these sides, so this tie gives Forest a swift chance to put that record right.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Form
Forest come into this smarting from a narrow opening-weekend defeat to these very opponents, still chasing a first home win in domestic competition this season. Chris Wood leads the line and remains the focal point up top, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye providing the spark from the wide attacking berths behind him.
Leeds opened their competitive campaign with a clean sheet and a win over Forest, so momentum is with the visitors. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the man to lead the attack, with Noah Okafor and Daniel James offering pace and threat in behind, though a heavy early-season schedule points to some rotation.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Nottingham Forest: Nicolo Savona (Injured/out), Ryan Yates (Injured/out)
Leeds: Gabriel Gudmundsson (Injured/out), Mateo Joseph (Injured/out), Wilfried Gnonto (Injured/out)
Nottingham Forest
Ryan Yates and Nicolo Savona are both set to miss the visit of Leeds on Tuesday night. Chris Wood is expected to lead the line with Igor Jesus dropping to the bench, while Callum Hudson-Odoi and Xaver Schlager are also in line for recalls.
Leeds
Noah Okafor and Sean Longstaff should both step into the Leeds starting XI. At the back, Joe Rodon could make way for Nico Elvedi. Mateo Joseph is one of three confirmed absentees in the Leeds camp.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Predicted Lineup
Nottingham Forest
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: J. Victor; L. Netz, N. Milenkovic, J. Cunha; N. Williams, X. Schlager, N. Domínguez, O. Aina; C. Hudson-Odoi, D. Ndoye; C. Wood
Leeds
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: L. Perri; T. Muharemovic, J. Bijol, N. Elvedi; J. Justin, S. Longstaff, A. Tanaka, J. Bogle; D. James, N. Okafor; D. Calvert-Lewin
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Key Stats & Match Facts
This EFL Cup second-round tie is hosted at Nottingham Forest's home stadium, the City Ground.
Under 2026-27 EFL Cup rules, if the tie is level after 90 minutes it bypasses extra time and goes straight to a penalty shootout.
Leeds have won four of the six previous competitive meetings against Forest, with Forest winning two.
Both sides are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Leeds started their competitive campaign with a clean sheet in their win over Forest on the opening weekend.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: This one looks tight on paper and we make it a 1-1 draw across the 90 minutes, with home advantage giving Forest the edge to see it through should it go the distance. Both teams carry attacking threat, so goals at either end feel on the cards.
Best Bets
Nottingham Forest to qualify for the next round. Forest hold home advantage at the City Ground and boast the superior squad depth, and with recalls for the likes of Hudson-Odoi and Schlager, they look well placed to advance whichever way the tie is settled.
Both teams to score in 90 minutes. Both sides have found the net in four of their last five head-to-head meetings, and with cup rotation likely to open the game up, there is plenty to suggest goals at both ends.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Bet Builder
Our bet builder backs Chris Wood to score anytime and both teams to score.
Chris Wood is set to lead the line with Igor Jesus dropping out, making the forward the natural focal point to get on the scoresheet.
Both teams to score fits an open cup tie where both sides carry genuine attacking threat and goals have flowed in recent meetings.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 3/1.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Talking Points
Rotation is the story here. Daniel Farke has flagged a heavy early-season fixture schedule and the need to manage his squad across cup fixtures, so how deep both sides dip into their bench could decide it. Forest freshen up with recalls for Hudson-Odoi and Schlager, and with Chris Wood leading the line on home soil, this is their chance to avenge that opening-weekend defeat. The team that keeps its strongest spine on the pitch may well come out on top.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Predictions FAQs
What is the prediction for Nottingham Forest vs Leeds?
Read our comprehensive match preview for detailed analysis, key insights, and predictions for Nottingham Forest vs Leeds.
Where is Nottingham Forest vs Leeds being played?
The EFL Cup fixture between Nottingham Forest and Leeds will be played at the City Ground in Nottingham.
What are the best bets for Nottingham Forest vs Leeds?
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What are the latest betting odds for Nottingham Forest vs Leeds?
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