Leeds v Nottingham Forest: Premier League – live

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That’s a lot of defenders Leeds have picked tonight. Ampadu is very much a deep-lying midfielder, so it’s six defensive players on the teamsheet from Daniel Farke, with either Gabriel Gudmundsson or James Justin slotting into a back three and the other one joining Jayden Bogle as a wing-back.

No Netz in the Forest starting lineup, as 19-year-old centre-back Zach Abbott gets a first Premier League start instead. He’s made a handful of appearances in the Europa League this season. There were some claims that Callum Hudson-Odoi would be out for this one with a shoulder injury, but he’s been passed fit to start. Ortega makes his debut in goal.

Team news

Leeds: Darlow; Justin, Rodon, Strujik; Bogle, Gruev, Ampadu, Aaronson, Gudmundsson; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin.

Subs: Perri, James, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Bijol, Tanaka, Bornauw, Gnonto.

Nottingham Forest: Ortega; Aina, Milenkovic, Abbott, Morato; Sangare, Anderson, Gibbs-White; Hudson-Odoi, I.Jesus, Dominguez.

Subs: Gunn, Awoniyi, Ndoye, Lucca, Hutchinson, Yates, Cunha, McAtee, Netz.

Daniel Farke has arrived at Elland Road. Photograph: Danny Lawson/PA

Preamble

Leeds United and Nottingham Forest may balk at the suggestion that this is an earlyish relegation six-pointer – both may feel they are clear enough of danger as it stands – but the prospect of heading into the weekend nine points clear of the drop zone, with the pressure firmly on West Ham, is surely enticing. (The Hammers play 19th-placed Burnley tomorrow). These two are currently locked on 26 points after 24 games, with Leeds sitting above Forest only on goals scored. And given Daniel Farke’s side have shown a real taste for these Friday night fixtures at home and the fact Forest have gone unbeaten in the league for a whole month, there really ought to be little separating the sides. Competitive should be the word.

Forest could field their two key January signings – Stefan Ortega is likely to start in goal and Luca Netz looks a like-for-like replacement for the suspended Neco Williams at left-back. Leeds will be without the injured Anton Stach, though it remains to be seen whether Farke will prefer a back three, or go to 4-3-3 (or something similar) tonight. That 4-0 home shellacking by Arsenal last week will still be stinging for a few Leeds fans.

It all gets under way at 8pm GMT, with the official team news to follow very shortly. Strap yourself in for a tussle between two of English football’s heavyweights under the Elland Road lights.