Leeds United begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaign on Saturday afternoon when they travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest.
The Whites finished 14th last season after an impressive run of form following a switch to a back three, and will be hoping to build on that platform this term.
However, Forest have won their last four home league meetings with Leeds, making this a difficult opening assignment.
Match preview
Leeds ended last season in encouraging fashion, collecting 47 points and reaching the FA Cup semi-finals after finding their feet in the Premier League.
The switch to a back three in December transformed their fortunes.
The Whites collected 36 points from their final 25 league games, a tally that would have been enough for seventh across the season.
Farke has now been backed in the transfer market, with James Trafford, Harry Wilson, Tarik Muharemovic and Nico Elvedi arriving at Elland Road.
Pre-season has also offered plenty of encouragement. Leeds beat Sunderland, RB Leipzig and Augsburg. They also drew 1-1 with Manchester United and defeated Liverpool 4-2.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored 14 Premier League goals last season and 15 in all competitions. His aerial presence gives Leeds a different dimension in the final third.
Wilson provides another major attacking weapon. The Welshman registered 10 goals and seven assists last season, and his creativity could be crucial to Leeds’ hopes of pushing further up the table.
Forest begin a new era under Oliver Glasner after another turbulent campaign.
The Tricky Trees finished 16th last season after going through four different managers, while influential midfielder Elliot Anderson has left.
Leeds will view this as a genuine opportunity to start well, although their away record is concerning.
Only two of the three relegated clubs collected fewer road points than the Whites last season.
Match stats
Leeds have lost their opening league fixture in only two of their last 18 top-flight campaigns, winning nine and drawing seven.
However, Forest have won their last four home league games against Leeds.
They are unbeaten in their last 14 top-flight meetings with the Whites at the City Ground, winning seven and drawing seven.
However, Leeds lost only two of their final 12 Premier League away games last season, although nine of those matches ended in draws.
Leeds team news
Leeds will be without Willy Gnonto and Gabriel Gudmundsson, while Ilia Gruev is a doubt after a knee problem.
The Whites’ four summer signings could all make their Premier League debuts, although Farke is expected to retain the back-three system.
Club-record signing Trafford, who is a ‘huge personality,’ should start in goal. Tarik Muharemovic is set to make his full debut alongside Jaka Bijol and Joe Rodon at the back.
Wilson is expected to be handed an attacking role alongside Brendan Aaronson.
Leeds predicted starting XI (3-4-2-1)
James Trafford; Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol, Tarik Muharemovic; Jayden Bogle, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, Sam Byram; Harry Wilson, Brendan Aaronson; Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
