Leeds United vs Nottingham Forest: Farke's Game Plan for Premier League Points

Leeds United head to the City Ground on Saturday with momentum finally at their back and a clear plan in Daniel Farke’s mind.

A 4-0 dismantling of Augsburg in pre-season has sharpened the mood around Elland Road. Now comes the real test: turning that fluency into Premier League points against a Nottingham Forest side that rarely gives much away on home soil.

Farke is expected to stick with his bold 3-4-3, trust a strong XI and ask them to impose themselves rather than simply contain.

Trafford Behind a New-Look Back Three

James Trafford is set to start in goal, tasked with backing up that Augsburg clean sheet with something more meaningful in the Midlands. This is the sort of away day where a young keeper’s authority gets examined early and often.

In front of him, Joe Rodon, Jaka Bijol and Tarik Muharemović are primed to form the back three. It’s a unit built for aggression as much as protection. Rodon’s timing in the challenge, Bijol’s aerial strength and Muharemović’s mobility will all be vital if Leeds want to keep Forest’s forwards at arm’s length.

They’ll need discipline. Lose their shape once at the City Ground and it usually hurts.

Sebastiaan Bornauw offers cover from the bench, a reliable option if Farke wants fresh legs or an extra body to see out a tight finish.

Engine Room Sets the Tone

The real control, though, has to come from the middle.

Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu are expected to anchor the midfield, a pairing that gives Leeds bite off the ball and composure on it. Stach can dictate tempo, Ampadu can snap into duels and recycle possession. Together, they’ll try to suffocate Forest’s rhythm and spring Leeds into dangerous areas.

Out wide, James Justin on the left and Jayden Bogle on the right will have heavy workloads. Both wing-backs must first lock down their flanks, then explode forward when space opens up. Their timing will dictate how often Leeds can turn a back three into a front five.

On the bench, Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff wait as game-changers. If the contest tightens or Leeds need fresh energy in midfield, those two offer legs, pressing and the ability to shift the pattern of the second half.

Wilson, Aaronson and Calvert-Lewin to Lead the Charge

Up front, Leeds carry a very different kind of threat.

Harry Wilson is set to start off the right, cutting inside to create and shoot, while Brenden Aaronson will operate from the left, buzzing between the lines and dragging markers out of position. Their movement will be crucial in opening lanes for the central striker.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is expected to spearhead the attack. His job is simple to describe and brutal to execute: occupy defenders, dominate in the air and live inside the Forest penalty area. If Leeds’ wide players and wing-backs can feed him with enough quality, he has the presence to turn pressure into goals.

Farke has his shape, his starters and his bench options mapped out. Now it’s about whether this Leeds side can carry that pre-season swagger into a hostile Premier League afternoon and turn a promising plan into a statement away win.