The scene is set for a swift rematch between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, who face each other in the only all-Premier League tie of the EFL Cup second round.
Anton Stach’s free-kick was the point of difference at the weekend as Leeds got their Premier League campaign up and running with a 1-0 win.
But it was an evenly-matched encounter between two clubs who should both have realistic aspirations for a top-half finish.
Progress in the knockout competitions will be less of a priority, although both are former EFL Cup winners.
Forest lifted the trophy on four occasions under the legendary Brian Clough, while Leeds’s solitary success in the competition was masterminded by Don Revie back in 1968.
Nottingham Forest v Leeds United Tips Summary
Best Bet - Nottingham Forest to win @ 23/20
Alternative Bet - Nottingham Forest to win 1-0 @ 7/1
Bet Builder - Chris Wood to score any time, Under four goals & Nicolas Dominguez to be carded @ 16/1
Nottingham Forest v Leeds United Prediction
Best Bet: Nottingham Forest to win @ 23/20
Fine margins went against Forest on matchday one of the Premier League season, but there could be a strong response from Oliver Glasner’s side, who can advance to the EFL Cup third round with a victory inside normal time.
Patience is not the strongest suit for Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who utilised four managers - Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche and Vitor Pereira - over the course of last season.
Glasner will be keen to put a first victory on the board, while also getting to know the attributes of the players at his disposal.
There will be changes from the Austrian’s weekend line-up, but he may have slightly more wriggle room than Leeds head coach Daniel Farke, who has seen options reduced by a handful of early season injury concerns.
Leeds went into the weekend clash without Gabriel Gudmundsson, Wilfried Gnonto, Mateo Joseph and Ilia Gruev.
And they will probably have to tread carefully with first choice centre-forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who looks absolutely key to their hopes of a successful campaign.
Farke will no doubt shuffle the pack but his second string may struggle to cope with a doubly determined Forest, who can atone for their weekend defeat.
Alternative Bet: Nottingham Forest to win 1-0 @ 7/1
It was clear to anyone who watched Saturday’s fixture that there is very little to choose between the teams.
Another tight game is on the cards with Forest taking their turn to churn out a low-scoring success.
Nottingham Forest v Leeds Bet Builder Tip
Chris Wood to score any time
Under 4 goals
Nicolas Dominguez to be carded
Pays 16/1
Several Forest players will be keen to force their way into the Premier League XI, including centre-forward Chris Wood, who looks set to make his first start of the season.
Wood had a slightly disappointing 2025/26 campaign, scoring three goals in 15 top-flight appearances.
However, the New Zealander is clearly in the thoughts of Glasner, who introduced him after 62 minutes of Saturday’s contest.
Glasner likes his teams to get plenty of service into the penalty area and those tactics should suit the 34-year-old striker, who can open his account for the new campaign.
Five of the last seven meetings have produced fewer than four goals and another low-scorer is anticipated.
A much-changed home line up should include midfielder Nicolas Dominguez, who will be keen to seize his opportunity.
Dominguez loves a tackle and looks an obvious yellow card candidate.
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Key Match Stats
Nottingham Forest have won four of their last five home matches against Leeds
Forest have lost only one of their last eight home fixtures
Forest have conceded fewer than two goals in nine consecutive home matches
Twelve of Forest’s last 13 home games have generated fewer than four goals
Leeds have won only two of their last 11 away fixtures
Leeds have conceded the first goal in three of their last four away matches
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
