Latest Nottingham Forest verdict as Sean Dyche's Reds prepare to face Leeds United in Premier League clash
05:00, 05 Feb 2026
Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche on the City Ground touchline
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Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche on the City Ground touchline(Image: PA)
Sean Dyche has some big decisions to make when it comes to naming his Nottingham Forest team for a huge clash with Leeds United.
The Reds make the trip to Elland Road on Friday night (8pm kick-off) looking to overtake their opponents in the Premier League table and extend their buffer over the bottom three. As it stands, both Forest and Leeds are six points above the relegation zone.
Plenty of spirit and character was on show at the City Ground on Sunday as the 10-man hosts secured a point against Crystal Palace. It made it eight points from their last four league games for Dyche’s charges, and keeping that momentum going is the aim.
This week’s fixture does bring a few dilemmas, though, due to injuries and suspension. Full- back Neco Williams is ruled out following his red card at the weekend, while goalkeeper Matz Sels and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi are injury doubts.
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Sels was replaced at half-time against the Eagles with a groin problem. He is said to have “a chance” of being fit for Friday, but if he misses out it would likely mean a debut for new signing Stefan Ortega.
The German was introduced to the City Ground crowd prior to kick-off on Sunday, having just put pen to paper on a short-term contract from Manchester City. He would have been watching from the stands as Angus Gunn got the call to replace Sels for the second half, and could now make his first appearance earlier than anticipated.
Dyche must decide whether the same might apply for deadline day arrival Luca Netz. Strengthening at full-back was a priority for the club before the window closed, and the 22-year-old could prove to be a smart addition.
Will he be thrown into the XI in the absence of Williams, though? It is a big call for Dyche to make.
Forest are short in the full-back department, given Nicolo Savona remains sidelined with a knee issue. If he doesn’t plump for Netz, Dyche might turn to one of his centre-backs - Murillo, Morato or Zach Abbott - to step in, potentially with Ola Aina switching flanks if required.
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Similarly, a change will most likely need to be made out wide if Hudson-Odoi doesn’t get the green light due to a shoulder problem. The likelihood is it will be a choice between Dan Ndoye and Omari Hutchinson, if so, given Dilane Bakwa is still struggling for minutes. Nicolas Dominguez has been doing well out wide, though, so he may well keep his place on the left.
Striker Lorenzo Lucca will no doubt be eager to get his first minutes for the club after being an unused substitute at the weekend. Igor Jesus has played a lot of minutes of late, given the Reds’ lack of forward options, so could be given a breather. The Brazilian has been in decent form, though, so Dyche might opt to stick with him.
Forest predicted XI: Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Murillo; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Dominguez; Jesus.
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