Nottingham Forest and Leeds are currently 4th and 5th in the Championship after they have both had great starts. These two will be looking to challenge for promotion and although they are outsiders for that, they have started very well and shown they are capable.
With a lot of quality on the pitch, this game promises to be a fantastic game, very tight and one that will show the Championship in a great light. Expect a well fought game, where both teams are desperate for the points and one that should see plenty of attacking chances.
Nottingham Forest Form
Nottingham Forest have started the season very well, they are currently in 4th place with nine points from their first four games. They have won three games, and lost just one which was an away defeat at Barnsley. I like what Forest have built, they are looking at the bigger picture and bringing young players into their squad, and based on their results so far it is a strategy that is reaping the rewards right now.
Their most recent game was a great 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough and is their most impressive performance to date. Every game so far has been won by one goal, they have beaten Millwall 1-0 and Brentford 4-3 in a thrilling game.
Their ability to win by one goal shows that Nottingham Forest know what it takes to bag a victory in this league. Despite having many young players they have the knowhow when it comes to grinding out a result and picking up vital points.
Should Forest continue this form and keep picking up points then you would have to fancy them to be involved at the top towards the end of the season. They have an ability to score goals, a solid defence and look like the complete team this season.
Leeds Form
Leeds have also started very well and after four games they find themselves in 5th position with eight points. They are unbeaten so far, with two wins and two defeats to show for their effort, a solid start for them.
One problem Leeds may have though is the ability to score goals now that star striker Chris Wood has left the club. Wood scored many goals for Leeds and helps players around him play better, he will be a big blow and I think he is a great signing for Burnley in the Premier League. How they cope without him over the next few games will set the standard at Leeds and will determine whether or not they can mount a promotion challenge.
Just like Nottingham Forest, Leeds put in their best performance during their most recent game when they went to Sunderland and came away with a fantastic 2-0 victory. This game took place right in the middle of all the Chris Wood speculation and he didn’t play, Leeds will be hoping for more of the same from them without Wood this week.
What happens to Leeds over the next month will determine whether or not they can challenge for promotion. They need to react and move forward quickly after the departure of Wood.
Team News
Daryl Murphy scored in his third consecutive game last weekend and is on fire at the moment for Nottingham Forest, I can’t wait to see what he can do against Leeds. Barrie McKay is another player who scored last weekend and he is another who will need watching by the Leeds defence.
Leeds are going to have to find a way to score goals without Chris Wood and they will be hoping to build on the two they scored last weekend. Stuart Dallas and Samuel Saiz scored last weekend and they are two of many players that need to step up in the absence of Wood.
Top Betting Tips
This game should be very close, with two top teams going head to head. I am going to back Nottingham Forest to win the game, mainly because they have home advantage which I believe will be enough to see them win.
Nottingham Forest can be backed at 8/5 with Ladbrokes and Betfred, I think that is tremendous value when you look at how they have started the season. Leeds have also had a good start, but apart from one slip up at Barnsley, Nottingham Forest have been very impressive so far and I believe they can bag their fourth win of the season in this game.
I’m backing Nottingham Forest at 8/5.