Nottingham vs Leeds prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-02-04 14:00.
Nottingham Forest and Leeds meet in Englandâs top-flight for the first time this century, with both looking to create separation between themselves and the relegation zone. The hosts can now devote full focus to their survival effort after exiting the Carabao Cup at the semi-final stage, though manager Steve Cooper refused to be downbeat after their 5-0 aggregate loss to Manchester United, stating that their progression to the last-four is a sign of the clubâs âupward projectionâ.
Perhaps the reason for Cooperâs good spirit comes from his sideâs strong recent form in the Premier League (PL), as Forest are unbeaten in four (W2, D2) and have created a four-point gap to the relegation zone ahead of this round. The driving force behind that run has been strong displays at the City Ground, where theyâre unbeaten in six league outings (W3, D3), while theyâve netted first in eight of their ten games on home soil this term.
Leeds may be the perfect opponents then, as their five points won on the road this term is the joint-lowest in the division (W1, D2, L6). That didnât stop manager Jesse Marsch receiving further backing in the January transfer market however, with the high-profile arrival of Weston McKennie helping reinforce his midfield ranks.
The USA international will be looking to help Leeds win a league game for the first time since the seasonâs restart, as theyâre now without a victory in six PL encounters (D3, L3). That means they dangle just one-point above the drop zone ahead of this round, but a relatively formidable attack may be able to fire them away from danger, as their 26 goals scored is bettered only by Leicester amongst clubs currently in the bottom half.
Players to watch: Forest forward Brennan Johnson is finding his feet in the top-flight, having directly contributed to at least one goal in each of his last three league appearances (G2, A2). Leedsâ key man is likely to be Rodrigo, with his ten-goal haul in this seasonâs PL only beaten by four players in the division.
Hot stat: The last nine H2Hs at this ground have produced 31 goals, an average of 3.44 per game.