Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips – EFL Cup 1/32-finals 25/08/2026

EFL Cup

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United

Mon, 25 August 2026 – 19:00

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2.15

Home

3.4

Draw

3.2

Away

Nottingham Forest host Leeds United in the EFL Cup, three days after losing to the same opposition in the Premier League. The league encounter ended 0-1 to Leeds, which gives this cup tie an immediate rematch flavour. Kick-off is at 19:00 GMT+0 at the City Ground in Nottingham. Forest will look to reverse the result and impose their home advantage in a competition where both sides have an incentive to progress. Leeds, meanwhile, arrive with the psychological edge of having already beaten this opponent at their ground less than a week ago.

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Betting Tips and Match Insights

Getting the right information before kick-off can make all the difference when placing bets via the BC.Game sports betting app. We have examined recent performances, head-to-head history and current trends to give you a clear view. In the Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United match prediction today we focus on the key details that matter most. These football betting tips are built on solid statistical patterns rather than guesswork. Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United prediction today highlights the significance of the league result from 22 August and what it tells us about each side’s current form and approach. This Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United betting tips analysis considers rotation, cup motivation, and the tactical patterns both managers are likely to employ.

Nottingham Forest Recent Form

Nottingham Forest’s pre-season was mixed: impressive wins over Leverkusen and Brest, but a pre-season defeat against Barcelona and then an opening-day Premier League home loss to Leeds. The 0-1 result at the City Ground on matchday 1 was a difficult start. Matz Sels in goal is reliable, and the defensive line with Milenković, Murillo and Aina has the quality to organise well. Morgan Gibbs-White remains the creative hub, but Forest need to find a way to score goals. They did not manage one in 90 minutes against Leeds last weekend.

Leeds United Recent Form

Leeds United arrive in high spirits. Their pre-season showed attacking intent: 4-0 over Augsburg, a win at Anfield against Liverpool, and a high-scoring 6-5 against Manchester United. The 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest in the opening Premier League fixture confirmed they can win in difficult environments. Trafford in goal provides confidence, while the midfield pair of Stach and Ampadu offers the balance of defensive cover and technical quality. Dominic Calvert-Lewin as the centre-forward gives Leeds a physical and aerial presence.

Who will win Monday’s EFL Cup clash between Nottingham Forest and Leeds United?

Nottingham Forest > Draw > Leeds United >

Nottingham Forest

43%

Draw

28%

Leeds United

29%

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Head-to-Head

Three recent meetings are available. Leeds won the most recent encounter 1-0 at the City Ground. Before that, both sides recorded 3-1 home wins in 2025/26, producing symmetrical results across the season. Four of the last ten meetings show an even split: 4 wins each and 2 draws from the aggregate data. No dominant pattern exists, though the home side has won two of the three available Premier League clashes.

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Predicted Lineups

Nottingham Forest Predicted Starting Lineups:

Sels (GK), Jair (DF), Milenković (DF), Murillo (DF), Aina (MF), Sangaré (MF), McAtee (MF), Williams (MF), Ndoye (MF), Gibbs-White (MF), Jesus (FW).

Leeds United Predicted Starting Lineups:

Trafford (GK), Rodon (DF), Bijol (DF), Muharemović (DF), Bogle (MF), Stach (MF), Ampadu (MF), Justin (MF), Wilson (MF), Aaronson (MF), Calvert-Lewin (FW).

Key Factors to Consider

The Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United odds and the context of this tie point to several relevant factors.

• Leeds already beat Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on 22 August 2026 in the Premier League, giving them a psychological edge heading into this rematch just three days later.
• Nottingham Forest were unable to score in that encounter and have now failed to find the net in their opening competitive home fixture of the season.
• Both sides won their most recent competitive home fixtures in H2H encounters: Forest 3-1 and Leeds 3-1 in the 2025/26 league season, suggesting home advantage is meaningful in this rivalry.
• Leeds have the form and confidence of having won their opening Premier League fixture, while Forest need a reaction after conceding at home without scoring.
• EFL Cup rotation is likely for both sides, which introduces unpredictability and may favour Leeds’s greater squad depth if fringe players are used.
• Gibbs-White’s creativity for Forest and Aaronson’s energy for Leeds represent the key midfield battleground.

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Free Tips on Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United

• Examine the Both Teams to Score market carefully: Forest failed to score last time, and Leeds scored once. A cup rematch, with both sides motivated, may open up more for goals on both sides.
• Consider the Asian Handicap for Leeds: they enter with the momentum of a recent 1-0 win over the same opponent on the same ground, which is a significant form indicator.
• Factor in the rematch dynamic: Forest’s pride and the City Ground crowd will push them to respond after the league loss, but individual quality often makes the difference in cup ties.
• Note that Leeds’s 1-0 win in the league was achieved through defensive discipline and a single decisive moment: in a more open cup tie, they could score more.
• Think about the half-time market: Forest tend to start well at home and both sides may commit more players forward than in the league context, making the first half competitive.

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Football Prediction 2026

The Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United prediction 2026 must account for the fact that Leeds have already won at the City Ground this season, just three days before this cup fixture. That is a significant data point. Forest’s inability to score in that match, combined with Leeds’s defensive organisation and Calvert-Lewin’s ability to hold the ball up and create space, suggests the away side’s approach is well-suited to this environment. The Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United match prediction today acknowledges Forest’s home advantage and motivation to bounce back, while recognising that Leeds come in with tactical and psychological advantages.

The Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United odds will reflect the cup context and the unpredictability that rotation brings. Admittedly, Forest are a Premier League quality side capable of winning against any opponent on their day, and Gibbs-White can change a match in seconds. But the h2h pattern, the recent 0-1 result, and Leeds’s overall form point toward the visitors as the side more likely to progress. A draw followed by extra time is possible, but on 90-minute evidence, Leeds’s approach is more effective right now.

Our Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Leeds United

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