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.
๐ ๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฒ ๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด: ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐#LUFC x @Boost_Drinks pic.twitter.com/JusX9yKC0a
โ 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 Cooperโs 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.
โ๏ธ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/YQbRBZjsay
โ 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 Cooperโs 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 donโt 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:
๐ข @LUFC travel to face Nottingham Forest in the @premierleague this weekend. ๐ #LUFC #MOT @IPM__Group pic.twitter.com/zN4QIJcouH
โ Leeds United StatZone (@lufcsz) February 1, 2023
Official parking partner of Nottingham Forest:
Manager/head coach:
Forest: Steve Cooper
Leeds: Jesse Marsch
What has Jesse Marsch said, ahead of the match?
โWe 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. Itโs 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.โ
๐ Jesse Marsch looks ahead to our trip to the City Ground on Sunday, where #LUFC will face Forest https://t.co/aFjBOVfyNJ
โ Leeds United (@LUFC) February 3, 2023
Head to head:
Forest: 31
Draws: 35
Leeds: 35
League position:
Forest: 14th
Leeds: 17th
๐ โCanโt wait for the first game!โ pic.twitter.com/9iH0UV7DQr
โ 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 Sundayโs match.
๐ค Speedy recovery, Rodders! pic.twitter.com/pOYxQIvpe6
โ 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!
๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป!
โ Leeds United (@LUFC) February 5, 2023
๐ Nottingham Forest
๐๏ธ The City Ground
๐ 2pm (GMT) pic.twitter.com/fyYiza5VLB