Leeds enter this knockout clash on a five-match unbeaten streak across all competitions, having just defeated Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on August 22. Forest have failed to score in three of their last five matches, and backing Leeds to avoid defeat in regulation provides a robust position given recent form and head-to-head momentum.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds prediction
- Round
- Round of 64
- Venue
- City Ground, Nottingham
- Referee
- A. Kitchen
Published by the BetGenius Editorial Desk · Editorial policy
Recent form
Last 5 matches · 1W-1D-3L · -3 goal difference
Last 5 matches · 1W-2D-2L · -1 goal difference
Our verdict
BetGenius backs Leeds or Draw (Double Chance) at 74% confidence — a solid call. Total goals: Under 2.5 Goals.
Match preview
Nottingham Forest host Leeds in the Round of 64 of the EFL Cup, just three days after the two sides met at the City Ground in league action. In that previous encounter on August 22, Leeds came away with a 1-0 away victory, extending their impressive run of recent form.
Leeds enter this cup tie unbeaten across their last five recorded fixtures, claiming four victories—including wins over Liverpool (4-2), RB Leipzig (2-0), and FC Augsburg (4-0)—alongside a 1-1 draw with Manchester United and their weekend triumph against Forest. Despite injuries to W. Gnonto, G. Gudmundsson, and M. Joseph, the visitors have maintained strong defensive stability and clinical finishing.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, have shown mixed form across their last five outings with two wins and three defeats. Crucially, they have been held scoreless in all three of those losses, including the recent 0-1 defeat to Leeds and 0-1 results against Barcelona and Udinese. With N. Savona and R. Yates sidelined through injury, Forest face a challenging task in reversing the weekend's result in quick succession.
Key factors
- Leeds defeated Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground just three days prior on August 22.
- Leeds are unbeaten in their last five fixtures, winning four and drawing one.
- Nottingham Forest have failed to score in three of their last five recorded matches.
- Leeds have won the two most recent head-to-head encounters (1-0 away in August 2026 and 3-1 home in February 2026).
- Availability concerns affect both sides, with Forest missing N. Savona and R. Yates, while Leeds are without W. Gnonto, G. Gudmundsson, and M. Joseph.
Team news
Nottingham Forest
- Igor JesusCalf Injury
- N. SavonaKnee Injury
Leeds
- M. JosephKnee Injury
- J. RodonMuscle Injury
- D. JamesBack Injury
Statistical comparison
Combined scoring rate: 1 goals per game (Nottingham Forest at home plus Leeds away).
Head-to-head
- 4
- Nottingham Forest
- 1
- Draws
- 4
- Leeds
the last 9 meetings are split 4-4 with 1 drawn, averaging 2.8 goals a game.
- 2026-08-22Nottingham Forest0-1Leeds
- 2026-02-06Leeds3-1Nottingham Forest
- 2025-11-09Nottingham Forest3-1Leeds
- 2023-07-27Nottingham Forest0-2Leeds
- 2023-04-04Leeds2-1Nottingham Forest
Our record in EFL Cup
Settled results only — every published pick is recorded win or lose. Full track record →
Based on at least 20 settled predictions.1 published market
More from BetGenius
Understand these picks
- Double chance: Double chance predictions · How double chance works · Double chance record
Our previous calls on this fixture
- Nottingham Forest 0-1 Leeds2026-08-22
Other EFL Cup predictions
Published August 23, 2026. Form, team news and table context refresh automatically.

