Leeds United will be keen to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion as they travel down the M1 to face Nottingham Forest.
The Whites’ meeting on Sunday at the City Ground comes after the disappointing result on the South Coast, one Daniel Farke admitted the hosts were much the better side in, after his team had beaten West Ham United on home soil previously.
Elland Road was rocking under the lights as early goals from Brenden Aaronson and Joe Rodon fired the hosts into an early lead and, despite a late consolation from the Hammers, Leeds secured a third victory of the Premier League season.
United sit 16th in the Premier League standings after the opening 10 matches, five points clear of 19th placed Forest.
After the highs of last term which saw Nuno Espírito Santo’s team qualify for Europe, the start of the new season has not followed suit.
Now under the guidance of the experienced Sean Dyche, following a tricky spell for Ange Postecoglou in the hotseat, the Reds will be looking to build on last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Manchester United.
Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolò Savona were on target for the hosts, who then faced Austrian outfit Sturm Graz during the week on Europa League duties, drawing 0-0.
Two hugely historic clubs, results between the teams over the years has been very even with Leeds winning 32 times, including a 2-1 victory for the Whites in the most recent meeting which included a goal for attacker Jack Harrison.
Action from the City Ground gets underway at 2pm.
Team news:
Ahead of the meeting, Farke explained late calls will be made on Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Sebastiaan Bornauw. The striker has an adductor strain but is progressing well in his rehab whilst the defender took a knock in training.
The rest of the squad, including Italian international Willy Gnonto, are all fit and in contention to feature in Nottinghamshire.
The view from inside the camp:
Discussing Sunday’s opposition, skipper Ethan Ampadu said: “So we know, first of all, it is going to be a very difficult away game. They are going to want to win all the duels. They are going to want to win the battles.
“They are also going to try and play their football and their style to win the game. So, we know that especially a lesson from the Brighton game is we have to start quicker.
“We know we are going to be in for a tough game. They are going to be right up for it, as they should be, and it is just trying to match that intensity from the very start.”
Read the full interview HERE.
How to follow:
Monthly audio subscribers around the world can listen to every minute of Saturday’s fixture LIVE on LUTV. Bryn Law will be joined by Tony Dorigo on commentary. Pre-match build up begins at 1:30pm with Michael Bridges and Simon Grayson in the studio! The match has also been selected for television coverage in the UK by Sky Sports.
Important supporter information:
The fan zone, The Nest, will be open exclusively to Leeds supporters travelling to Nottingham. Doors will be open from 10am on matchday. The Nest is a 1500-capacity warehouse space home to a large indoor screen, a giant bar, street food and a large outdoor space.
The venue lies on the direct walking route for fans making their way from Nottingham Railway Station to the City Ground on foot.
The Away Fan guide can be HERE.
Discriminatory language or chanting, including homophobic language, is not acceptable and you could be breaking the law. The club condemns this behaviour and has a zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination abuse of all kinds.
Tough measures and sanctions are in place across all English football leagues to tackle dangerous and illegal behaviours within football grounds, and this involves but is not limited to, discriminatory behaviour, tragedy chanting, fans entering the pitch, the use of pyros and throwing objects.
What has Daniel Farke said ahead of the match?
League position:
Forest: 19th
Leeds: 16th
Top scorer:
Forest: Chris Wood (2)
Leeds: Noah Okafor & Joe Rodon (2)
Officials:
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Assistant referees: Neil Davies & Edward Smart
Fourth official: Anthony Taylor
Video Assistant Referee: Matthew Donohue
Additional Video Assistant Referee: Wade Smith
