Forest host in-form Leeds at the City Ground
Nottingham Forest open their Premier League campaign at home to Leeds on 22 August, a fixture that carries a recent history of narrow margins and shifting fortunes between the two sides.
Leeds arrive having won four and drawn one of their last five matches, a run considerably stronger than Forest's two wins from their own last five, which included three defeats.
A fixture with recent form
The two clubs have met three times in the Premier League across the past few seasons, with Leeds winning twice and Forest once. Their most recent meeting in February 2026 saw Leeds win 3-1 away from home, while Forest had earlier taken a 3-1 victory over Leeds at home in November 2025.
A further meeting in April 2023 also went to Leeds, who won 2-1, while Forest's win in February 2023 came by a single goal. The sides also met in a friendly in July 2023, which Leeds won 2-0.
With Leeds in considerably better recent form and history at the City Ground showing both sides capable of victory, the opening weekend meeting looks finely poised despite the contrasting recent runs each team brings into it.