Leeds United v Nottingham Forest: Big match preview

Key Battle - Toumani Diagouraga v Michael Mancienne

The midfield battle was crucial when Leeds and Forest drew 1-1 at the City Ground a month ago. Forest had the better of the first half but United got a grip of the game in the second and that is likely to be the area where Saturday’s clash is decided. Diagouraga looked impressive at Bolton last weekend but Mancienne is no shrinking violet.

Key Man - Matt Mills

Forest are on a streak of 12 league matches without defeat and considering that the club have averaged a goal a game, it’s not difficult to work out the reasons behind that run. They’ve kept clean sheets in all of their last three Championship matches and Mills is a key figure in Forest’s defence. His experience has been valuable to a club who could easily have stumbled into trouble.

Last time at Elland Road:

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Leeds United 0 Nottingham Forest 0

Phil Hay’s verdict:

Forest’s tally of defeats is up there with the better sides in the Championship. A lack of goals and a Financial Fair Play (FFP) transfer embargo has prevented them from having a real go at the play-off places. The club last lost a league game on November 21, away at Brentford, so you might put your mortgage on a draw on Saturday. The number of stalemates involving Leeds or Forest this season? Twenty four.

Match Odds:

Home win - 17/11

Draw - 13/5

Away win - 2/1