Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United lineups are the main focus as the 2026–27 Premier League season begins at the City Ground. Both teams have made changes over the summer, with Nottingham Forest starting a new era under Oliver Glasner and Leeds United looking to build on last season’s 14th-place finish.
The Nottingham Forest lineup features several important summer additions, while Leeds United have also handed competitive debuts to new signings. Both managers have settled on a 3-4-2-1 formation, setting up a tactical battle built around wing-backs, midfield control and quick attacks.
Injury concerns have also affected both squads, with several players unavailable or facing fitness checks. The confirmed Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United lineups will provide the final answer on who starts the Premier League opener.
Nottingham Forest Lineup Today and Team News
The Nottingham Forest lineup reflects Glasner’s preferred back-three system. Matz Sels starts in goal, with new signing Ousmane Diomande joining Nikola Milenković and Murillo in central defense.
Neco Williams and Ola Aina are expected to operate as wing-backs, while Ibrahim Sangaré partners new signing Xaver Schlager in central midfield. Morgan Gibbs-White and Dan Ndoye will play behind Igor Jesus, who leads the attack.
Chris Wood and Callum Hudson-Odoi have both had fitness concerns during pre-season, but they are named on the bench. Club captain Ryan Yates is unavailable with a minor knock, while Nicolo Savona remains out with a knee injury.
The predicted Nottingham Forest lineup is Sels; Diomande, Milenković, Murillo; Williams, Schlager, Sangaré, Aina; Ndoye, Gibbs-White; Jesus.
Leeds United Lineup Today and Team News
The Leeds United lineup also uses a 3-4-2-1 formation under Daniel Farke. James Trafford starts in goal after joining from Manchester City in a club-record £40 million move.
Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Tarik Muharemovic form the defensive three, with Muharemovic set for his competitive debut. Jayden Bogle and James Justin operate as the wing-backs.
Ethan Ampadu partners Anton Stach in midfield, while new signing Harry Wilson joins Brenden Aaronson in the advanced roles. Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the attack as the central striker.
Leeds United are without Willy Gnonto and Gabriel Gudmundsson because of thigh strains suffered in training. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri is also unavailable, leaving Trafford as the starting goalkeeper.
The predicted Leeds United lineup is Trafford; Rodon, Bijol, Muharemovic; Bogle, Ampadu, Stach, Justin; Wilson, Aaronson; Calvert-Lewin.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Confirmed Lineups and Live Updates
The Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United lineups show two teams using the same 3-4-2-1 formation. Forest will rely on its three-man defense, wing-backs and the creativity of Gibbs-White and Ndoye behind Jesus.
Leeds United will look to use its midfield pairing of Ampadu and Stach to protect the defense and help control the center of the pitch. Wilson and Aaronson will operate behind Calvert-Lewin as Leeds look to create chances against Forest’s back three.
The Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United team news also includes several players who could influence the game from the bench. Wood and Hudson-Odoi are available for Forest, while Leeds have several new players making their competitive debuts.
The confirmed Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United lineups will reveal the final starting XI before the Premier League opener at the City Ground, with live updates to follow throughout the match.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United Lineups Today: Confirmed Starting XI, Team News and Live Updates