Leeds United and Nottingham Forest are just above the relegation zone ahead of their Tuesday night clash at Elland Road. The Whites are 17th in the Premier League standings and outside the bottom three courtesy of goal difference.
Nottingham Forest are 15th ahead of the trip to Leeds. The Reds are just one point above the relegation zone. A midweek loss for either team could see it finish in the bottom three of the Premier League standings.
🎙️ "We're going to keep fighting. All the focus is on Tuesday." pic.twitter.com/f9EWdro66l— Leeds United (@LUFC) April 1, 2023
🎙️ "We're going to keep fighting. All the focus is on Tuesday." pic.twitter.com/f9EWdro66l
Forest are winless in six straight Premier League games. They are coming off a 1-1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers. Leeds United are coming off a 4-1 loss at Arsenal.
It ended a two-game unbeaten streak. Javi Gracia’s appointment as manager has helped Leeds fight for survival.
Leeds United lost 1-0 at the City Ground earlier this season against Forest. Brennan Johnson scored in the 14th minute against the run of play. Leeds United struggled to break down Forest’s defence. The loss came near the end of Jesse Marsch’s reign as manager.
The Whites are in decent form despite the loss to Arsenal over the weekend. Leeds United picked up seven points from the last 18 points on offer. They were outscored 10-8 by their opponents.
Nottingham Forest picked up three points from the last six matches in the Premier League. All three points came from draws. Forest were outscored 13-6 across the last six matches by their opponents.
The Reds are the worst away team in the Premier League. Steve Cooper’s team took just six points from 13 matches on the road. Forest are on a three-game losing streak away from home.
Leeds United are unbeaten in back-to-back home matches. Gracia has improved the side, changing their style of play from hard running and pressing to a more patient side willing to sit deep. Leeds have a record of four wins, five draws, and four defeats at Elland Road.
Gracia will be without centre-back Max Wober due to a thigh injury. Stuart Dallas remains out with a thigh injury as well. Adam Forshaw will miss the match with a groin problem. Tyler Adams is out for the rest of the season following groin surgery, and Wilfried Gnonto is out with an ankle injury.
Cooper could be without nine players. Most significantly, the Forest manager could be missing Chris Wood, Wily Boly, Dean Henderson, and Ryan Yates. Injuries are piling up at the wrong end of the season for Cooper.
With both teams struggling, Tuesday’s match is a must-win for both sides. In the end, it should finish as a 2-2 draw, with neither Leeds nor Forest getting the win.