Nottingham Forest v Leeds United: betting preview, odds, stats and free tip

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Nottingham Forest v Leeds United in the Sky Bet Championship.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event/Football, 5.30pm Saturday

Best bet

Nottingham Forest or draw double chance
1pt 4-5 BoyleSports

Team news

Nottingham Forest
Nuno Da Costa could make his debut and Samba Sow (knee) is back in contention.

Leeds United
Kalvin Phillips completes a three-game ban and Adam Forshaw (hip) remains sidelined.

Match preview

Nottingham Forest are 33-1 in the Sky Bet Championship title betting but they can demonstrate their promotion credentials by avoiding defeat against market leaders Leeds United at the City Ground.

Sabri Lamouchi's side are just four points behind the second-placed Whites with 16 games to go.

Their cautious counter-attacking style of play is probably one of the reasons behind their lack of market support, but it has been effective, especially in the big games.

In 11 matches against the top ten teams Forest have won five, drawn five and lost one, so it is a surprise to see them just a shade of odds-on to collect at least a point against Leeds, who have had a major wobble in recent months.

Eight weeks ago Leeds were on a seven-match winning sequence and had opened up an 11-point gap to third place. But they have won just two of their last nine league games, offering huge encouragement to the chasing pack.

Marcelo Bielsa's side continue to dominate contests but they are struggling in the penalty boxes.

They haven't kept a clean sheet in ten fixtures and have failed to score in four of the last five, resulting in damaging defeats.

Given their struggles in front of goal, it is surprising more wasn't down to strengthen in January.

Loan striker Eddie Nketiah was recalled by Arsenal and replaced by Leipzig loanee Jean-Kevin Augustin, but Bielsa says he will need time to adjust to the way Leeds play.

Leeds are strong in midfield, thanks largely to the quality and tireless work ethic of Kalvin Phillips.

But Phillips was sent off in a 1-0 defeat at QPR last month and his three-game ban will be completed after this game.

Facing Leeds without Phillips gives Forest a better chance because there should be more gaps to exploit.

And there are few better second-tier teams at swift breaks than Forest, who can utilise the pace of wingers Joe Lolley and Sammy Ameobi and centre-forward Lewis Grabban.

Forest had a setback at Birmingham last Saturday, losing 2-1, but they had previously gone seven league games without defeat, and have a great chance of taking a point or three this weekend.