Two teams battling to avoid relegation from the Premier League will lock horns for a vital encounter on Tuesday evening, with Leeds United welcoming Nottingham Forest to Elland Road.

The Whites are currently 17th in the table, level on points with 18th-placed Everton, while Forest occupy 15th, just one point ahead of their opponents in this contest.

Match preview

Javi Gracia would have been aware of the size of the job that he was taking on at Leeds when he was appointed head coach towards the end of February, and the Spaniard has now had six matches at the helm, boasting a record of two wins, one draw and three defeats.

The Whites took four points from their two league fixtures against Brighton & Hove Albion and Wolverhampton Wanderers before the international break, but they suffered a 4-1 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday afternoon.

Leeds were 16th in the table heading into Sunday's fixtures, but West Ham United's 1-0 victory over Southampton moved the Hammers out of the relegation zone, with Gracia's men dropping one spot to 17th, level on points with 18th-placed Everton, who take on Tottenham Hotspur on Monday.

The Whites actually now have three straight home league fixtures against Forest, Crystal Palace and Liverpool, but they have found it difficult to show consistency in front of their own fans this term, picking up just 17 points.

Leeds have also lost three of their last four matches against Forest, including a 1-0 defeat when the two sides locked horns at the City Ground for the reverse game in early February.

Forest are unbeaten against Leeds since August 2017, which is a run that stretches back six matches, and the Reds will be determined to pick up a positive result in Tuesday's relegation six-pointer.

Steve Cooper's side were also in action on Saturday afternoon, conceding late to draw 1-1 with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the City Ground.

Brennan Johnson's eighth Premier League goal of the campaign sent Forest ahead in the 38th minute of the clash with Wolves, but Daniel Podence came up with an equaliser in the 83rd minute.

Forest are now winless in their last seven league matches, dating back to their 1-0 victory over Leeds at the start of February, with the disappointing run seeing them slide down the table again.

The Reds are currently 15th in the table, just one point ahead of 18th-placed Everton, with the Toffees, as mentioned, in action ahead of this contest against Tottenham.

There are only three points separating 19th-placed Leicester City from Wolves in 13th at this stage of proceedings, and it is set to be a fascinating battle to stay in the top flight this season.

Team News

Leeds will again be missing five players for this contest, with Maximilian Wober, Stuart Dallas, Adam Forshaw, Tyler Adams and Willy Gnonto out of action through injury.

It seems likely that head coach Gracia will make changes from the side that took to the field for the first whistle against Arsenal, with Weston McKennie, Rodrigo and Liam Cooper potentially coming into the XI.

Patrick Bamford and Georginio Rutter are also options in the attacking positions, and the duo will also be under consideration for potential starts in the key encounter.

Forest, meanwhile, have a substantial injury list at the moment, with Chris Wood, Willy Boly, Dean Henderson, Scott McKenna, Serge Aurier, Gustavo Scarpa, Giulian Biancone, Omar Richards and Ryan Yates all out.

The Reds did not pick up any fresh issues in their clash with Wolves, though, so it would not be a surprise to see close to the same XI take to the field for this contest.

There might be a change at left-back, with Renan Lodi potentially coming in for a start, but Johnson should again be joined in the final third of the field by Emmanuel Dennis and Morgan Gibbs-White.

Leeds United possible starting lineup:
Meslier; Ayling, Cooper, Struijk, Firpo; McKennie, Roca, Kristensen; Sinisterra, Rodrigo, Summerville

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Navas; Williams, Felipe, Niakhate, Lodi; Mangala, Freuler, Danilo; Dennis, Gibbs-White, Johnson

We say: Leeds United 2-2 Nottingham Forest

This has all of the makings of a very entertaining match, and we are expecting goals on Tuesday. Both sides will be desperate for the win, but the desire not to lose should also be apparent during the game, and we are ultimately tipping a score draw at Elland Road.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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