Leeds United have magical history on their side as Nottingham Forest first up
Leeds United will open their 2026-27 campaign with a trip to Nottingham Forest - and history suggests that is great news.
After securing survival at a canter towards the end of the 2025-26 term, Daniel Farke's side are aiming for further progression in the Premier League.
Throughout the term, the Whites continued to grow and improve in the top flight.
By May, they looked a seasoned Premier League outfit, with some fantastic football on show against the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Brighton in the final month.
Ahead of the new season, Farke is keen to bolster his squad, while the fixtures have added a new layer of excitement.
And with a trip to the City Ground set in stone, Leeds go into the term knowing that history is on their side in a very special way.
Historical fact sits in Leeds' favour as Nottingham Forest clash set in stone
Two historical giants of English football, Leeds and Forest have their fair share of history.
Locking horns 90 times in history, the pair have an almost identical record, with 33 Forest wins to the 31 of the Whites, with 26 draws to go with.
For Leeds, though, one match may stick out, as they beat Forest 1-0 on the opening day of the 1991-92 season.
Gary McAllister would score the only goal at Elland Road that day, at the very start of the final First Division season before the Premier League's inception.
The memories of that year will live long in the minds of supporters, as the West Yorkshire club went on to seal their third league title - earning the right of calling themselves the final champions of the old First Division.
This time at the City Ground, those in attendance old enough may have some flashbacks to that day in 1991, as Farke's side look to get off to an equally strong start.
What else should Leeds look out for as fixtures released?
Following the trip to the East Midlands, the Whites welcome Brentford to Elland Road - their first home match of the campaign - a week later.
In the coming weeks, they will take on Brighton, Newcastle and Crystal Palace, before their first match against one of the 'big six' in champions Arsenal.
Then, the big one comes on the weekend of 17 October, when Manchester United travel to Elland Road, looking to avenge the defeat inflicted by Leeds at Old Trafford.
Seeing out the season, Leeds will face United at Old Trafford on 15 May, before their final home match of the term against Sunderland leads into a final day clash with Crystal Palace.