Brenden AaronsonImago

Leeds United predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest: Brenden Aaronson left out, call made on new signing

Correspondent AUTHORITY Sports journalist with experience at the Northern Echo and Durham Cricket Club; Teesside University graduate. FOCUS Long-form opinion and deep-dive content across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Jacob utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, analytical reporting. He provides in-depth opinion and insight to ensure fans get beyond the headlines and into the detail.

Published on:

24 Aug 2026, 5:40 am

Leeds United have another test against Nottingham Forest in their Carabao Cup clash on Tuesday.

The Whites will play Oliver Glasner's side for a second time in just their second game of the season when they face the Reds this week.

Daniel Farke will take great confidence after he coached his side to a late 1-0 win over Glasner's team on Saturday in the first game week of the Premier League season.

Anton Stach's free-kick was enough to give the Whites all three points, but a midweek cup clash could prove a slightly different test.

Farke will have food for thought ahead of the match, with one eye on a positive Premier League campaign, and the other on another cup run.

Leeds came close to silverware last season, and a journey to lift the Carabao Cup could start at the City Ground.

Will Nico Elvedi make his Leeds debut?

There will be many players who Leeds fans will be hoping to see, including Noah Okafor, but one man on the lips of many supporters will be Nico Elvedi.

The centre-back was cleared to play in time for the first game against Nottingham Forest, and made the bench for matchday.

However, the 29-year-old was unable to make his debut, with Farke opting to play the likes of Jaka Bijol, Joe Rodon and Tarik Muharemovic in front of him.

With the right balance, the cup game against Forest looks like the perfect time to start Elvedi, so long as his fitness will allow him to play the majority of the game.

Why Daniel Farke was furious after James Justin incident in Leeds' win over Nottingham Forest

How could Leeds line up for Forest clash?

Farke will no doubt want to beat Forest for the second time in a matter of days, but Glasner will also be hoping to get up and running at the City Ground.

There could be a case of deja vu for both sides here, but with expected changes coming, that may not be the case.

Farke will most likely only make a few changes, one being Elvedi, who could come in for Muharemovic, so that no wholesale changes are made to the backline.

Ethan Ampadu has proved that he can play practically every game and should keep his place, but Ao Tanaka may be given a fair start over Stach, with the latter poised to be a goal-scoring threat from the bench, if needed.

Harry Wilson may keep his place, while Okafor and Lukas Nmecha could come in for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Brenden Aaronson.

James Justin should start - a player who called Okafor "unpredictable", as picked up by Leeds Live in April - and the winger could provide real problems down Forest's right-hand side of defence.