Nottingham Forest vs Leeds Predictions

• Leeds have avoided defeat in seven of their last eight away Premier League games
• Forest have failed to win 10 of their last 11 home league matches
• Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored 14 Premier League goals last term and has looked sharp in pre-season

Tricky Trees could suffer in clash of 3-4-3s

Oliver Glasner takes charge of his first Nottingham Forest game on Saturday and he will have wished for an easier start than a visit from an in-form Leeds United. Forest’s fourth manager in less than a year, Glasner will hope for more patience from the chairman than his predecessors got, despite all of them being experienced bosses who knew the division.

The Austrian has overseen some mixed results and performances in pre-season as he implements his preferred 3-4-3 system. It brought cup success and survival at Crystal Palace, but whether he can turn Forest into a top-six side with it remains to be seen.

Leeds will set up in a similar fashion under Daniel Farke, who changed the direction of his side’s campaign with one tactical switch at the Etihad Stadium last term. The German has added more height, power and familiarity with the system over the summer in a bid to take the Whites into the top half.

DCL can do more with improved delivery

The evidence of pre-season points to Leeds being on track with a series of confident displays against the Likes of Liverpool, Man Utd, RB Leipzig and Augsburg. The key to it all working is Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who was wrapped in cotton wool for the start of their preparations before coming off the bench to change the game against Liverpool in Chicago.

The former Everton striker scored 14 Premier League goals last term, his best return in six years, and may get even greater service this year from his side’s improving set-piece deliveries and goalkeeper distribution.

James Trafford’s arrival at Elland Road has the potential to be a real game-changer and he is a massive upgrade in the kicking game in particular. His ability to find Calvert-Lewin’s feet or for flick-ons should enable the visitors to bypass Forest’s midfield.

Whites capable of away win

Whether the likes of Xavier Schalger or James McAtee can replace Elliot Anderson remains to be seen, but Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach certainly look capable of competing against most sides in the division.

Leeds avoided defeat in seven of their last eight away Premier League games, only losing on the final day to a West Ham side that were scrapping for their lives while they were already safe.  They should be able to keep that road form going at the City Ground, where Forest have won only one of their last 11 league games.

Back the visitors to win 2-1 based on their star goalkeeper, improved defensive options and an in-form Calvert-Lewin, who was a constant menace to Forest’s defence in his side’s 3-1 home win in February.