Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Picks and Predictions for Saturday August 22, 2026

Nottingham Forest opens its 2026-27 Premier League campaign on Saturday, August 22, when Leeds United visits the City Ground in Nottingham. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 PM BST (10:00 AM ET). Forest finished 16th last season with 44 points, while Leeds finished 14th with 47 points. Both clubs survived, but each enters the new campaign looking to put more distance between itself and the relegation battle.

The betting market gives Forest the advantage at home, with the hosts priced around +120, Leeds around +200, and the draw approximately +225, although prices vary by sportsbook. Forest and Leeds split their two Premier League meetings last season, with the home team winning 3-1 on both occasions. For more Premier League betting analysis throughout the season, check out our free soccer picks.

Nottingham Forest Starts Fresh Under Oliver Glasner

Nottingham Forest survived last season but finished just 16th after a turbulent campaign that included multiple managerial changes. The club scored 48 goals while allowing 51, finishing with a -3 goal differential. That record was disappointing after Forest's much stronger 2024-25 season, making stability one of the biggest priorities entering the new campaign.

Forest now turns to Oliver Glasner, who brings an established Premier League tactical approach to the City Ground. The club has also strengthened the squad during the summer, particularly defensively. Forest should be better organized under Glasner, and opening the season at home gives the new manager an opportunity to establish some early momentum.

Home-field advantage is particularly important in this matchup. Forest defeated Leeds 3-1 at the City Ground last season, while Leeds had more difficulty producing consistent results away from Elland Road. Forest doesn't have a large enough advantage to justify laying an aggressive handicap, but the combination of home field and a fresh start under Glasner makes the moneyline attractive at plus money.

Leeds Looks to Take Another Step Forward

Leeds accomplished its primary objective last season by remaining in the Premier League, finishing 14th with 47 points. They scored 49 goals and conceded 56, giving them a -7 goal differential. While the final position was hardly spectacular, Leeds improved considerably as the campaign progressed and demonstrated that it belonged at this level.

Daniel Farke remains in charge, giving Leeds valuable managerial continuity. The club has also invested significantly in improving the squad, particularly at goalkeeper and center back. That should help address some of the defensive problems that contributed to those 56 goals conceded last season and gives Leeds a reasonable chance of moving toward the middle of the table.

The concern Saturday is the venue. Leeds was much more dependable at Elland Road than away from home last season, and the City Ground isn't an ideal place to begin the campaign. Leeds is capable of scoring here, though, and last season's two meetings produced eight combined goals. Forest's 3-1 home victory was followed by a 3-1 Leeds victory at Elland Road, suggesting neither side had much trouble creating opportunities against the other.

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Picks and Prediction

Pick: Nottingham Forest Moneyline

Nottingham Forest ML is the side pick. There isn't a huge gap between these teams, but Forest's home-field advantage and the potential for improvement under Glasner make the hosts worth backing at around +120. Leeds was less convincing away from Elland Road last season, while Forest already demonstrated it could beat this opponent comfortably at the City Ground.

Pick: Over 2.5 Goals

Over 2.5 goals is the total pick. Forest and Leeds combined for four goals in each of their two meetings last season, while their 2025-26 defensive numbers leave room for another open contest. With both teams capable of contributing rather than relying on one side to clear the number, three goals is a reasonable target.

Final Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2, Leeds United 1