MATCH PREVIEW: LEEDS UNITED V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
We look ahead to Monday's clash.
Leeds United welcome Nottingham Forest to Elland Road on New Year's Day in the Sky Bet Championship as Thomas Christiansen's side look for a third win in a row on home soil. The Whites have picked up six points from nine over the festive period and are looking to get back to winning ways after Saturday's 1-0 loss at Birmingham City. Forest announced on New Year's Eve, the departure of manager Mark Warburton and his backroom staff, following Saturday's home defeat at the hands of Sunderland. Gary Brazil has been appointed as caretaker manager and will be in charge of the Reds at Elland Road. Forest come into the game without a win in their past four matches. The Whites have won their last two games against the Reds, winning 2-0 at Elland Road in January 2017, before beating Forest by the same scoreline at the City Ground last August.
League position
Leeds United: 5th
Nottingham Forest: 14th
Recent form
Leeds United: WWWWL
Nottingham Forest: WLDLL
Head to head
Leeds United wins: 31
Draws: 32
Nottingham Forest wins: 33
Last time Elland Road
Wednesday 25th January 2017
Sky Bet Championship
Leeds United 2 (Wood 55, Doukara 74) Nottingham Forest 0
Attendance: 24,838
Leeds: Green, Ayling, Bartley, Jansson, Berardi, O’Kane (Vieira 75), Bridcutt, Hernandez (Mowatt 80), Dallas (Doukara 72), Roofe, Wood. Subs not used: Silvestri, Coyle, Phillips, Antonsson.
Forest: Henderson, Lichaj, Pinillos, Mancienne, Assombalonga (Brereton 76), Osborn, Fox, Ward (Bendtner 67), Vaughan, Hobbs (Lam 57), Cash. Subs not used: Stojkovic, Pereira, Carayol, Worrall.
Our last meeting against Nottingham Forest here at Elland Road is remembered for one thing… Souleymane Doukara’s amazing goal. He blasted home a super unstoppable volley from 20 yards into the top left corner to wrap up a 2-0 victory for the Whites. The goal is up there with the best ever at Elland Road, with many comparing it to Tony Yeboah’s famous strike against Liverpool. Leeds took the lead, when a Pablo Hernandez corner was met by Kyle Bartley and the ball found its way to Chris Wood who did the rest.
Team news
Whites midfield duo Eunan O'Kane and Ronaldo Vieira both missed Saturday's defeat against Birmingham City and will be hoping to fit for the visit of Forest. Samuel Saiz returned to the bench against Birmingham following injury and the Spaniard, along with Pierre-Michel Lasogga will be pushing to start the New Year's Day fixture. Daryl Murphy and David Vaughan both returned for Forest after missing the Boxing Day defeat at Sheffield Wednesday. Danny Fox could return to the Reds squad along with Liam Bridcutt who missed Saturday's defeat to Sunderland, but defender Matt Mills is still unlikely to be fit.
The key battle
Kalvin Phillips v Liam Bridcutt
Bridcutt is a player Whites fans know all too well, with the central midfielder making 53 appearances for Leeds between November 2015 and August 2017. He will be looking to prove a point, after being deemed surplus to requirements by Thomas Christiansen, leading to his move to the City Ground. He will come up against Phillips in the middle of the park and the 22 year-old will be looking to redeem the faith put in him by Christiansen. Phillips has scored five goals for the Whites in the Sky Bet Championship so far during the campaign.
Betting odds with Ladbrokes
Leeds United: 10/11
Draw: 5/2
Nottingham Forest: 3/1
(Odds correct at time of article published)
Click here to bet now.
Fan zones
Join us ahead of kick-off at Elland Road, in the Foster’s Fan Zone situated at the North East Corner and the Fan Village within the Gowing Law Centenary Pavilion. Click here for more information and offers.
Tickets
There are still tickets available for Monday's clash with Nottingham Forest.