After seeing their remarkable run of seven consecutive matches without defeat brought to an abrupt halt at Oakwell last week, Leeds United seek to revive their fortunes against a floundering Nottingham Forest at Elland Road tonight (7:45pm).

On Saturday, the necessity for rationalistic pragmatism, a virtue seldom required of Leeds United supporters this season, became apparent in the wake of an execrable and wholly vexatious defeat at the hands of a resurgent Barnsley. After racing into a 1-0 lead courtesy of Chris Wood’s 17th goal of the season in the 18th minute, the Whites succumbed to a 3-2 subduing by their South Yorkshire counterparts. Quite exquisite strikes from Ryan Kent and Conor Hourihane succeeded a Tom Bradshaw header on the stroke of half-time, with an erroneously awarded United penalty, converted by Wood on 68 minutes, proving a mere consolation. The full-time whistle acted as the cue for unadulterated jubilation on the part of the illegitimates who densely populated the home terraces, as they unanimously savoured the sweet taste of victory that the cup final victory gratified them with.

The response from Leeds United supporters on social media reeked of splintered schism. Misguided wailing emitting from some disenchanted sections of the support were, to a degree at the very least, quelled by sagacious calls for what the masses refer to as ‘perspective’. The solitary concordant opinion that the warring factions shared was the fact in only a matter of days, one of the most woefully incompetent sides in the division, had to travel to Elland Road, where incidentally, we’ve accrued an unprecedented number of points in stark contrast to recent seasons of dismay, disarray, and widespread discontent.

Nottingham Forest, a meagre, provincial club with, though in scarce numbers in what are presently austere times at the City Ground, profoundly irritable supporters, and a hapless concoction of beleaguered cast-offs for a playing squad, are tonight’s visitors. They languish in 19th position with merely eight victories from 27 matches. Their playing squad of maladroit misfits are currently under the tutelage of an interim manager, Gary Brazil, who likely will have them playing in a style that could be construed as the antithesis of that of the star-studded international team who are known by his surname. While the defeat to Barnsley was, indeed, an unwelcome setback, the three points that will (hopefully) be secured tonight will prove a more than effective sedative to ameliorate the pain and anguish that last week visited upon us.

Will Leeds maintain their imperious home form with yet another victory in front of their fanatical supporters? Or will Nottingham Forest, and their notoriously irritable supporters, be able to bask in a rare blaze of glory? My thoughts have been made conspicuous to you, but should you want to share your own views, you may do so by leaving a comment below.

Team News

Leeds United

The adulated defensive juggernaut Pontus Jansson served the final match of his recent suspension on Saturday, and so the coveted Swede will presumably partner Kyle Bartley at the heart of the United defence.
Fleet-footed winger Hadi Sacko, along with rugged defender Liam Cooper, have both been absent for the previous two matches, and once more, doubt is cast over their fitness for tonight’s match.

Finally, a vital nugget of information for the conspiracy theorists, as home-grown left-back Charlie Taylor remains sidelined by a purported injury that has afflicted him since Christmas.

Nottingham Forest

Interim manager Gary Brazil has a quartet of first-team players unavailable, much to his exasperation, one would imagine. Defenders Armand Traore and Matt Mills, in addition to midfielder Chris Cohen and the perennially offside centre-forward Matty Fryatt are all presently plagued by injuries.

Joe Worrall and Michael Mancienne are in contention to replace Mills, while midfielder David Vaughan could be rested.

Probable Lineups

Leeds United (4-2-3-1) - Green; Ayling, Jansson, Bartley, Berardi; Vieira, Bridcutt; Roofe, Hernandez, Doukara; Wood.

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1) - Henderson; Lichaj, Worrall, Hobbs, Pinillos; Vaughan, Mancienne; Cash, Osborn, Ward; Assombalonga.

Team Facts

Leeds United

Top Goalscorers: Chris Wood (18), Souleymane Doukara (4), Kyle Bartley (4).

Most Assists: Kemar Roofe (5), Pablo Hernandez (5), Hadi Sacko (3).

Highest Statistical Average Rating: Pontus Jansson (7.67).

Record in 2016-17 (League) - W - 15, D - 13, L - 9.

Nottingham Forest

Top Goalscorers: Apostolos Vellios (6), Britt Assombalonga (6), Damien Perquis (2).

Most Assists: Ben Osborn (5), Eric Lichaj (2), Hildeberto Pereira (2).

Highest Statistical Average Rating: Eric Lichaj (6.87).

Record in 2016-17 (League) - W - 8, D - 6, L - 18.

Media: Leeds United head coach Garry Monk:

Leeds United head coach Garry Monk used his obligatory pre-match interview with leedsunited.com to hail the influence of the Leeds United supporters.

“We had a disappointment at the weekend and it doesn’t sit well with us, we are preparing and fully focused on Wednesday’s game,” began Monk.

“This season we have managed to bounce back from a negative result very well and that is vitally important.

“These situations test the character and mentality of the team, which we have been really strong with so far and I am looking for more of the same.

The 38 year-old, who many believe to have performed miracles throughout the course of the current season, concluded by effusively praising the fervent support that the fans of Leeds United happily lend both himself and his players, both at home and on the road.

"Our fans have been fantastic home and away and we need them tomorrow night, it is great to see them backing us no matter what."

Match Facts

Leeds have failed to defeat Nottingham Forest in the last eight meetings that the sides have faced one another in league competition, drawing on the occasions and losing on five.

Jointly with Brentford, Leeds have used the fewest number of players in the Championship this season (23), while Nottingham Forest have used the most (33).

Leeds have won their last five home league games in succession, keeping a clean sheet in each and every one of those matches. They last won six consecutive matches at Elland Road in January 2013, during the predominantly ill-fated tenure of current Cardiff boss Neil Warnock.

Key Men

Leeds United: Chris Wood (7.03 Average Statistical Rating)

The New Zealand international continued his prolific campaign in front of goal despite his side’s acrimonious defeat at Oakwell in his last outing. Wood netted twice in the 3-2 loss, registering his 18th and 19th goals of what has been a high-yielding season for the former Leicester, West Bromwich Albion, and Millwall man. Having already surpassed his strike tally for the entirety of his debut season at Elland Road (13), Wood, possessed of bullish strength and a venomous right foot, is firmly on course to attain the 20-goal target he set himself before the 2016-17 season had even begun.

Fact: In his last six matches against Nottingham Forest, Wood scored four goals while assisting once.

Nottingham Forest: Jack Hobbs (7.12 Average Statistical Rating)

A rugged, battle-hardened centre-half of 28, Hobbs has recently seen himself recalled to the starting lineup at the City Ground, and the former Leicester City stalwart has excelled to a degree, as one can tell from his average statistical rating in the five league matches he has partaken in this term. Aerially adept and blessed with a wealth of previous experience in England’s second tier, the form of Hobbs may be one of the few saving graces in what has been another wretchedly ruinous season for Nottingham Forest. If the forlorn basement battlers are to negate the threat posed by Chris Wood tonight, it may well be Hobbs who marks the potent forward into silence.

Fact: Hobbs is vastly experienced at Football League level, having made a combined total of 254 appearances during spells with Hull and Leicester City.

Writer’s Prediction: Leeds United 2-0 Nottingham Forest

Taking into careful consideration the plight and predicament of Nottingham Forest at this present time, along with our ruthless proficiency at home this season, I cannot look beyond United for this match. I anticipate a comfortable victory, a sixth successive home victory I hasten to add, and yet another clean sheet at Elland Road. Let us not shelter the Premier League dream; let us make the dream a reality.

Statistics derived from WhoScored.com

Photo: Action Images

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