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Mark Lawrenson predicts result of Leeds United Premier League clash v Nottingham Forest
Mark Lawrenson is backing Patrick Bamford to come back into the side and make a “massive” difference for Leeds when they face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
The Whites are winless in their last six games in the Premier League, but managed to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup with a win over Accrington Stanley most recently last weekend.
But with Rodrigo suffering an injury that will see him miss two months of action, Lawrenson told Paddy Power in his predictions column (3 February) that he loves watching this “bonkers” side and expects them to claim a win over their relegation rivals.
“I love watching Leeds because it’s just mad, it’s bonkers,” he said.
“It’s like the Wacky Races. Nottingham Forest crashed out of the Carabao which wasn’t a surprise but they’re good at home in general.
“I’ll go for an away win. Patrick Bamford coming back for them is massive, he’s just so calm and he’s such a good finisher. Nottingham Forest 0-2 Leeds.”
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Massive
Considering that Bamford went the entirety of 2022 without a goal and the club just splashed out on a club-record fee to sign a new forward, it’s fair that some considered his Leeds career as nearly over.
But he has returned to the fold after his most recent injury problem in great form, and now Rodrigo’s injury problem is likely to be a huge opportunity for him to return to the starting lineup more regularly.
Crysencio Summerville is likely still out injured, but Willy Gnonto, Jack Harrison, Georginio Rutter and Brenden Aaronson are capable of providing a goal threat too.
Forest have had a good record at home in recent weeks, and this is a game that they will see as a huge opportunity to win and move away from the relegation battle – as they currently sit just three points above Leeds and four above the drop zone.
The Whites’ form recently has been good in terms of performances rather than results, and now Marsch must start picking up points to go with those and this is the perfect time to go for it.
In other Leeds news, Weston McKennie decision to be made in our predicted XI to face Forest.