In-form Nottingham Forest can make life tough for Leeds

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Leeds reclaimed top spot in the Sky Bet Championship with a dominant display at home to Ipswich in midweek but they could struggle to live up to their billing when they host improving Nottingham Forest.

Marcelo Bielsa's men have won four of their seven league games at Elland Road but all of their victims were 17th or lower heading into this weekend’s fixtures and Forest have the attacking resources to provide a stern test.

Middlesbrough and Birmingham are the only two sides in the top half to have visited Leeds and they both left Yorkshire with points.

Injuries to key men haven’t helped the hosts' cause but even with Kemar Roofe and Pablo Hernandez back in the reckoning they look short enough against a Forest side full of confidence having lost only one of their last eight games.

Aitor Karanka’s men have suffered defeat just twice all season and their heavy summer investment is paying off as Forest find themselves only four points off the pacesetters.

Forest’s solid start has been as good as they could have hoped for given their huge turnaround in personnel and their 2-0 success at second-placed Middlesbrough showed they have what it takes to mix it with the division's elite.

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Lewis Grabban, who has eight goals in eight games, has rediscovered his best form and is building an excellent partnership with Joe Lolley, who has four in his last six.

They should give the hosts something to think about and with both sides expected to figure in the promotion picture, Leeds may be a shorter price than their recent performances warrant.

Recommendation
Nottingham Forest or draw double chance
1pt 23-20 Ladbrokes

Bet on this match Soccerbase.com

Team news
Leeds
Pontus Jansson is back from suspension. Gaetano Berardi has been ruled out and Barry Douglas is still unavailable.

Nottingham Forest
Aitor Karanka has no new injury concern and may field the same side who won 3-0 at Bolton in midweek.

Key stat
Forest have scored two or more in five of their last six league games.

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