Leeds United begin their 2026/27 Premier League season with an away fixture against Nottingham Forest this Saturday. The match kicks off at 10:00 AM at the City Ground.
Daniel Farke's side, now in their second consecutive top-flight campaign, travel to face a Forest team under new management. Oliver Glasner takes charge of his first competitive match for the hosts, having replaced Vítor Pereira in the summer. Pereira left after a strong finish last season where Forest lost just one of their final ten league games.
Leeds United enter the match sitting 9th in the Premier League with 3 points from one game, having won their opening fixture. Their recent form is marked by a single 'W', with one goal scored and none conceded for a +1 goal difference. Nottingham Forest, in contrast, are 18th in the early table. Their pre-season was mixed, featuring two wins and three defeats in their last five friendlies, though they did beat Brest 2-0 most recently.
Both teams have significant absentees. For Leeds United, the injury list includes Wilfried Gnonto, Mateo Joseph, Ilia Gruev, and Gabriel Gudmundsson, as confirmed by our current injuries data. Forest will be without the injured Nicolo Savona and Ryan Yates. Neither side has any suspended players for this opening weekend clash.
Projected line-ups give a clear picture of the likely starters. Leeds are expected to field James Trafford in goal behind a back five of Jaka Bijol, Joe Rodon, Tarik Muharemovic, Ethan Ampadu, and James Justin. Jayden Bogle, Anton Stach, and the newly-contracted Brenden Aaronson should form the midfield, supporting attackers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Harry Wilson. Rodon recently signed a new four-year deal, while Aaronson committed to a three-year contract.
Forest's likely setup sees Matz Sels in goal. A back four of Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Ousmane Diomande, and Dan Ndoye will be shielded by central midfielders Xaver Schlager and Ibrahim Sangare. Neco Williams and Ola Aina provide width, with Morgan Gibbs-White supporting striker Igor Jesus.
The head-to-head record at the City Ground has recently favored the home side. Last season's two Premier League meetings both ended 3-1 to the team playing at home. This historical context adds an extra layer of intrigue to Glasner's debut and Farke's quest for a positive start on the road.
Supporters in the United States can watch the game live on NBC Sports Network and via streaming on Peacock. The commentary team for the broadcast will be Seb Hutchinson and Matt Upson.
Following this trip to Nottingham, Leeds United's next Premier League fixture is a home match against Fulham on December 19th. Fulham currently sit 12th in the table. The early season provides an opportunity for Farke's squad to establish momentum, especially with key players like Rodon and Aaronson secured on new long-term deals.
