Leeds United Aim for Premier League Points Against Nottingham Forest
Leeds United head to the City Ground on Saturday with a clear brief: turn pre-season promise into Premier League points.
Daniel Farke’s side arrive on the back of a ruthless 4-0 dismantling of Augsburg, a friendly in name only given the intensity Leeds showed. That result will not win them anything in August, but it does set a tone. Sharp, aggressive, direct. They will need all of that against a Nottingham Forest side who rarely give much away on their own turf.
Farke is expected to stay loyal to the 3-4-3 shape that powered that win, and he is not in the mood for experiments. This looks like a full-strength call.
Trafford Behind a New-Look Back Three
James Trafford keeps the gloves and walks into the Premier League cauldron aiming for a clean sheet at the City Ground. He will have protection from a back three that blends bite and balance: Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Tarik Muharemović.
Rodon brings the familiarity of English football and a willingness to defend on the front foot. Bijol offers aerial presence and calm distribution. Muharemović, on the other side, must match that aggression and concentration. All three will be asked to hold a tight line, squeeze space and suffocate Forest’s forwards rather than simply react to them.
On the bench, Sebastiaan Bornauw waits as the defensive insurance policy, ready if the game turns into a physical battle or legs start to tire.
Engine Room Built to Control and Create
In midfield, Leeds lean heavily on the authority of Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu. They will anchor the centre, tasked with winning duels, recycling possession quickly and setting the tempo. If Leeds are to impose themselves away from home, it starts with those two dictating the rhythm and refusing to let Forest settle.
Out wide, the wing-backs carry a double workload. James Justin lines up on the left, Jayden Bogle on the right. Both must first protect their channels, track runners and close down crosses. Once that job is done, they will be urged to spring forward, stretch the pitch and feed the front three. Their ability to transition from defence to attack could define how often Leeds pin Forest back.
Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff are expected to start among the substitutes, but they sit right at the front of Farke’s mind as potential game-changers. If the contest opens up after the break or Leeds need fresh legs to press higher, those two offer energy and composure to tilt the midfield battle.
Wilson, Aaronson and Calvert-Lewin Lead the Charge
Up front, there is no hiding place. Harry Wilson takes up the right-wing role, looking to drift inside, test the goalkeeper and supply the central striker. On the opposite flank, Brenden Aaronson will look to knit attacks together, press aggressively and carry the ball into dangerous areas.
At the tip of the system stands Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He is set to spearhead the Leeds attack and carry the responsibility of turning pressure into goals. His job is clear: occupy the centre-backs, dominate in the air, link play and live inside the Nottingham Forest penalty area. If Leeds’ wide players and wing-backs deliver quality service, Calvert-Lewin has the profile to be a constant nuisance.
Leeds arrive with confidence, structure and a defined plan. The question now is simple: can this XI turn a slick pre-season performance into a statement away win in the Premier League?
