Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds Picks, Odds, and EPL Betting Analysis — Whites the Value Play at Odds of +217?
- When: Saturday, August 22, 2026. 10:00 AM ET
- Where: City Ground, Nottingham, England
- How to Watch: NBC
Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds EPL Preview
The 2026-27 Premier League opening weekend will see an interesting fixture between Nottingham Forest and Leeds at the City Ground. The Tricky Trees will be favored with the best soccer betting sites in Oliver Glasner’s first match in charge. However, could Leeds be the value play when making EPL picks?
ALSO SEE: Premier League 2026/27: Our Experts Make Their Winner, Relegation, and Top Scorer Picks
Glasner Targets Dream Start to Life at City Ground
Nottingham Forest cut short Vitor Pereira’s reign at the club at the end of last season, just weeks after he had guided the club to safety. Oliver Glasner has been handed the role this summer, as the Tricky Trees target major silverware under the former Crystal Palace boss.
Glasner may require time to get across his message, as he has deployed his preferred 3-4-2-1 formation throughout pre-season. The early signs appear to be promising after winning back-to-back encounters against Bayer Leverkusen and Brest.
Chris Wood’s return to full fitness is a major positive, as the striker scored 20 goals in 36 appearances in 2024-25. Morgan Gibbs-White will be the crucial player, as he bids to bounce back to form after missing out on a place in England’s World Cup squad.
Likely Lineup:
(3-4-2-1) Sels (GK); Diomande, Murillo, Milenkovic; Williams, Sangare, Schlager, Yates, Netz; Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Farke Targeting Potential European Qualification
The decision to revert to a 3-4-2-1 formation in December effectively saved Daniel Farke’s job. The transformation was remarkable; as the Whites would have finished seventh in the EPL standings had the campaign ended at the start of the same month.
Further progress will be expected this term, and the manager has been supported throughout the summer with eye-catching arrivals including James Trafford, Harry Wilson, and Tarik Muharemovic.
The latter could be one of the signings of the season, as he has made an immediate impact on the defensive performances of Leeds. Leeds have been excellent throughout pre-season, recording notable wins against Liverpool, RB Leipzig, and Augsburg. Everything suggests that they should enjoy a good campaign this term.
Likely Lineup:
(3-4-2-1) Trafford (GK); Muharemovic, Rodon, Bijol; Bogle, Stach, Ampadu, Justin; Wilson, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin
Head-to-Head Stats
- Nottingham Forest have avoided defeat in 14 of their last 19 home matches against Leeds.
- Both teams have recorded four wins apiece in the eight EPL encounters between the sides.
- Leeds have won three of the previous four head-to-head encounters.
Nottingham Forest vs. Leeds EPL Picks
I’m excited to see Leeds United in action this season, as they have addressed problem positions with high-quality signings. Nottingham Forest may require time to adjust to Glasner’s preferred style of play, meaning that an away win makes plenty of appeal at the City Ground this weekend, especially considering that Leeds have won three of the previous four head-to-heads.
