Leeds United boss Daniel Farkeplaceholder image
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke
A GLANCE at Sean Dyche's numbers against Leeds United paints the manager once famously dubbed as 'the Ginger Mourinho' in a pretty favourable light.
In 12 previous league meetings - encompassing his time in the dug-out with current club Nottingham Forest, Everton and Burnley - Dyche has lost on just four occasions, winning six.
Another facet is the number of tight games versus Leeds, with seven decided by a single goal.
Few would be surprised if that proves the case this evening, more especially given the fact that Leeds and Forest find themselves next to each other in the table just above the relegation zone. Their goal difference is identical and only goals scored separates them.
Sean Dyche.placeholder image
Sean Dyche.
In terms of Dyche's record against Leeds, there has been the odd outlier.
At the end of 2020-21, Dyche's Clarets, fresh from clinching safety, clocked off in the second half and were on the receiving end of Bielsa-Ball at its finest as rampant Leeds triumphed 4-0 at Turf Moor.
And then there was Dyche's last meeting with Leeds back in November.
Forest prevailed 3-1 at the City Ground and the former Reds player had lift-off with his first league win in charge by the Trent.
Farke was far less happy. He spoke of the 'small details' which often decide top-flight games and Leeds not paying due care and attention in that regard and his players 'losing duels'. He was not happy with the officiating either.
Since that late autumn day, Farke's side have generally been much better in terms of their decision-making although last weekend's loss to Arsenal, where two of the concessions were certainly self-inflicted, was a reminder of the dangers of switching off in the most ruthless league around.
Farke said: "There are ups and downs during the season and of course a few things that we can influence.
"I think we have been way better (since Nottingham).
"The pressure on the build-up of the opponent, to be aware of channel runs of the opponent, this is something where Nottingham were quite good at (on the day).
"You always have to do it each and every time again and prove it again that you're capable to do it better. There are still some things that you also can't influence.
"I remember before we conceded a crucial goal, there was a mistake of the referee and a completely wrong decision. This is something you can't influence and you also can't guarantee this for the future.
"But I think in general we have grown as a team and group and every individual player is also a more proven Premier League player than he was perhaps just after a few game days at the beginning of the season.
"I think we are definitely in a better position right now than we were perhaps a few months ago. But it's also up to us to prove this again on Friday."
Forest head up the M1 in good order and boast a four-match unbeaten league sequence so far in 2026.
The picture which greeted Dyche wasn't so rosy in October. The East Midlanders were in the bottom three after just one win in their opening eight league outings of 2025-26.
In 16 matches since, Forest have picked up six wins under Dyche. It constitutes discernible progress, with Dyche's reputation for being a relegation escapologist further enhanced following his previous with Everton and Burnley.
Farke continued: "Sean has a proven record on Premier League level. He has shown several times what he's capable of. I think also during this season, he gave lots of stability back to Nottingham.
"He won also many points in the recent weeks. Also in the form table, it's quite good.
"Obviously he has a team of lots of individual quality. This team also qualified for Europe last season and have spent lots of money also in the last summer. It's definitely a strong opponent.
"And against the sides it's never easy to create chances. It's never easy to open them.
"Also if you have a look at their last fixtures, they have often had clean sheets or just concede one goal and make it difficult for the opponent to score goals.
"So I expect also a tight game where it will be difficult to create chances and also to score goals.
"We have to be on it, focused and concentrated.
"We also face an established Premier League side and due to their status, of course they are capable to invest more money due to the PSR rules.
"So it's always a bit easier. And for that we need even more of our supporters to make a special day and a special atmosphere on Friday evening."
"If we are capable to do this and if my lads are on the pitch delivering in a perfect way then we will also definitely have a chance, but it's always difficult against Sean's sides."