Leeds United face a tough test this weekend against a side close to them in the table, when they travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest. 

The Whites will head to the East Midlands for the Sunday afternoon kick-off (2pm), looking to secure their first win at Forest since 2017, which came courtesy of goals from Kemar Roofe and Gjanni Alioski, in a 2-0 Sky Bet Championship success.

This time around, the battle is in the top-flight and both sides require maximum points as they aim to climb up the table - following wins for teams around them in the bottom half on Saturday. 

👀 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁#LUFC x @Boost_Drinks pic.twitter.com/JusX9yKC0a

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 4, 2023

Leeds currently sit 17th in the table, but do have two games in hand on others around them, meaning a win on Sunday could push them upwards - potentially going as high as 13th depending on goal difference.

Forest had a tough start to life back in the top-flight following promotion last season. However, under Steve Cooper’s leadership, they have adjusted well in recent times and have moved up the standings to 13th, three points ahead of the Whites. 

Jesse Marsch has new faces to call upon if selected this weekend. The January arrivals of Max Wober, Georginio Rutter and Weston McKennie have all bolstered the squad and will give added competition to the XI. 

✌️🔥 pic.twitter.com/YQbRBZjsay

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 4, 2023

The Reds have also signed new players this window - just as they did over the summer. Gustavo Scarpa, Danilo, Chris Wood, Felipe, Jonjo Shelvey, Keylor Navas and Andre Ayew have further strengthened Cooper’s options. 

One player missing for Marsch will be top-scorer Rodrigo. The top-scorer has been in fine form throughout the 2022/23 season and has scored an impressive 12 goals, but will now face up to two months on the sidelines. 

Forest don’t have a stand-out leading scorer this year up to now, with goals spread around the squad. Brennan Johnson and Taiwo Awoniyi have four each to their name, putting them at the top of the squads charts.

The match has been selected for live television coverage within the UK, on Sky Sports. For those not attending the game or able to watch on Sky Sports, you can stay right here on leedsunited.com to follow live updates throughout the 90 minutes, or listen to uninterrupted commentary on LUTV!

A stat on the match: 

🔢 @LUFC travel to face Nottingham Forest in the @premierleague this weekend. 👇 #LUFC #MOT @IPM__Group pic.twitter.com/zN4QIJcouH

— Leeds United StatZone (@lufcsz) February 1, 2023

Official parking partner of Nottingham Forest:

CLICK HERE TO BOOK PARKING

Manager/head coach:

Forest: Steve Cooper

Leeds: Jesse Marsch

What has Jesse Marsch said, ahead of the match?

“We go to a rival now, to a team that's fighting with us in the table, a team that we respect, a place that's not easy to play. It’s a moment for us to show that we're ready for some bigger challenges and that we've grown a lot over the last six weeks.”

🎙 Jesse Marsch looks ahead to our trip to the City Ground on Sunday, where #LUFC will face Forest https://t.co/aFjBOVfyNJ

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 3, 2023

Head to head:

Forest: 31

Draws: 35

Leeds: 35

League position:

Forest: 14th

Leeds: 17th

🙌 “Can’t wait for the first game!” pic.twitter.com/9iH0UV7DQr

— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 31, 2023

Premier League top scorer:

Forest: Brennan Johnson & Taiwo Awoniyi (4)

Leeds: Rodrigo (10)

Team news:

Jesse Marsch will be without the injured Rodrigo, along with Adam Forshaw, Archie Gray, Stuart Dallas and Sonny Perkins. Everyone else is back in training and could be selected for Sunday’s match.

🤍 Speedy recovery, Rodders! pic.twitter.com/pOYxQIvpe6

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 2, 2023

The hosts have a number of possible injuries in the squad. They are without number one goalkeeper Dean Henderson who has a hamstring injury, along with Morgan Gibbs-White, Taiwo Awoniyi, Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhite all still potentially on the sidelines. 

Officials:

Referee - Robert Jones

Assistant Referee - Neil Davies

Assistant Referee - Wade Smith

Fourth Official - Craig Pawson

Video Assistant Referee - Darren England

How to watch:

The match has been selected for live television coverage within the UK, on Sky Sports. 

For those not attending the game or able to watch on Sky Sports, you can stay right here on leedsunited.com to follow live updates throughout the 90 minutes, or listen to uninterrupted commentary on LUTV!

👊 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!
🆚 Nottingham Forest
🏟️ The City Ground
🕑 2pm (GMT) pic.twitter.com/fyYiza5VLB

— Leeds United (@LUFC) February 5, 2023