Leeds predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest: Whites begin new season with tough City Ground test
· Yahoo Sports
Leeds United begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign on Saturday afternoon when they travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest.
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Leeds finished 14th last season after an impressive run of form following a switch to a back three, and the Whites will be hoping to build on that platform this term.
However, Forest have won their last four home league meetings with Leeds, making this a difficult opening assignment for Daniel Farke’s side.
Match preview
Leeds ended last season in encouraging fashion, collecting 47 points and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals after finding their feet in the Premier League.
The switch to a back three/five in December transformed their fortunes.
The Whites collected 36 points from their final 25 league games, a tally that would have been enough for seventh across that period.
Farke has now been backed in the transfer market, with James Trafford, Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic and Nico Elvedi all arriving at Elland Road.
Pre-season has also offered plenty of encouragement.
Leeds beat Sunderland, RB Leipzig and Augsburg, while holding Manchester United to a 1-1 draw and producing a 4-2 victory over Liverpool.
Their biggest threat is Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
The striker scored 14 Premier League goals last season and 15 in all competitions, while his aerial presence gives Leeds a different dimension in the final third.
Harry Wilson should provide another major attacking weapon.
The Welshman registered 10 goals and seven assists last season, and his creativity could be crucial to Leeds’ hopes of pushing further up the table.
Meanwhile, Forest begin a new era under Oliver Glasner after another turbulent campaign.
The Tricky Trees finished 16th last season after going through four different managers, while influential midfielder Elliott Anderson has left.
Leeds will see this as a genuine opportunity to start well, although their away record remains a concern.
Only two of the three relegated clubs collected fewer road points than the Whites last season.
Match stats
Leeds have lost their opening league fixture in only two of their last 18 top-flight campaigns, winning nine and drawing seven.
However, Forest have won their last four home league games against Leeds.
They are unbeaten in their last 14 top-flight meetings with the Whites at the City Ground, winning seven and drawing seven.
However, Leeds lost only two of their final 12 Premier League away games last season, although nine of those matches ended in draws.
Leeds team news
Leeds will be without Willy Gnonto and Gabriel Gudmundsson, while Ilia Gruev is a doubt after a knee problem.
The Whites’ four summer signings could all make their Premier League debuts, although Farke is expected to retain the back-three system.
Club-record signing James Trafford, who is a ‘huge personality,’ should start in goal.
At the back, Tarik Muharemovic is set to make his full debut alongside Jaka Bijol and Joe Rodon.
Wilson is expected to be handed an attacking role alongside Brendan Aaronson.
Leeds predicted XI (3-4-2-1)
James Trafford; Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Tarik Muharemovic; Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, Sam Byram; Harry Wilson, Brendan Aaronson; Dominic Calvert-Lewin.