Nottingham Forest and Leeds United will meet again at the City Ground on Tuesday, 25 August 2026. This time, the two sides will face each other in the second round of the EFL Cup.
The match starts at 8:00 p.m. UK time. It comes only three days after Leeds beat Forest 1-0 at the same ground in the Premier League. That quick return adds extra pressure to a cup tie that already has plenty at stake.
For Forest, this is a chance to answer back at once. For Leeds, it is a chance to beat the same opponent twice in a short space of time. The teams know each other well after Saturday’s league game, but this match can be very different because the EFL Cup can lead both managers to change their teams.
Leeds Hold the Recent Advantage
Leeds arrive with the better result from the first meeting. They won 1-0 on Saturday, 22 August, in the opening weekend of the 2026-27 Premier League season.
The game looked set to end without a goal for most of the afternoon. Forest had chances but could not find the final touch. Chris Wood and Igor Jesus both had chances for the home side, while Nikola Milenkovic also came close with a header that hit the post.
Leeds stayed patient and found the winning moment late in the match. Anton Stach scored from a free kick in the 88th minute. His effort beat Forest goalkeeper Matz Sels and gave Leeds all three points.
That result gave Leeds an excellent start to the new Premier League season. It also made Forest’s first home match under Oliver Glasner a difficult one.
Forest Want a Quick Response
Forest now have very little time to think about the defeat. The EFL Cup gives them an immediate chance to change the story.
Glasner took charge of Forest this summer, so the club is still at the start of a new era. His first league match ended with a narrow loss, but the performance was not without hope. Forest had periods of control and created chances, yet they lacked the sharp finish needed to score.
The cup match can offer a fresh test. Forest can also use the game to give more players a chance to show what they can do. A strong performance would help build confidence before the next Premier League match.
There is also a simple reason why Forest will want this win. Losing twice to the same opponent within three days would be a poor start to Glasner’s time at the club.
Morgan Gibbs-White Is a Major Absence
Forest will not have captain Morgan Gibbs-White for this cup match. Glasner has confirmed that Gibbs-White will miss the tie after a knee problem from the weekend game.
The injury is not believed to have caused structural damage, but Forest do not want to take a risk with an important player this early in the season. Glasner hopes Gibbs-White can recover in time for the next league match against Liverpool.
His absence matters because Gibbs-White is one of Forest’s main creative players. He can carry the ball, find space and create chances for the forwards. Without him, other players will have to take more responsibility.
Ryan Yates is also unavailable for Forest, according to the latest team news.
Leeds Can Also Change Their Team
Leeds are not expected to use exactly the same side that won at the weekend. Manager Daniel Farke has said that the cup game is different from a league match.
Farke knows that the EFL Cup can place a different demand on players. There is only one winner at the end, so the match has a clear knockout pressure. He also expects both sides to make changes.
Leeds have more reason to feel relaxed after their strong start. Their new players also had good moments in the league win. Goalkeeper James Trafford kept a clean sheet on his Leeds debut, while Tarik Muharemovic and Harry Wilson also made their first league appearances for the club.
The cup gives Farke a chance to look at more players without the same league pressure.
A Very Different Match Could Follow
The two managers already know what the other side can do. That can make the second match more tactical.
Forest know that Leeds can stay compact and wait for the right chance. Leeds know that Forest can create danger at home and use the crowd to push them forward.
Saturday’s match had few clear chances, and one late free kick decided it. Tuesday’s game could follow a similar pattern, but changes to both teams may create a different rhythm.
Forest may need to attack with more purpose. They cannot rely on another set of small chances if they want to move into the next round. Leeds, meanwhile, can use their confidence from Saturday while also giving fresh players a chance to make an impact.
The City Ground Adds to the Story
The City Ground will again be the setting for this match. That makes the rematch even more unusual.
Leeds had already ended a long wait for a league win at Forest’s home ground on Saturday. Their 1-0 victory was their first league win at the City Ground since 1972.
Now Leeds return just three days later.
Forest supporters will want a different result this time. The home crowd can play an important role, especially if Forest start well. An early goal would change the mood inside the stadium and put Leeds under pressure.
For Leeds, the task is to remain calm and avoid giving Forest an easy route back into the game.
What Is at Stake for Both Clubs
The EFL Cup may not have the same value as the Premier League, but early exits can still hurt clubs. A cup run can give players extra matches, help squad depth and create useful moments for new signings.
For Forest, a win would also provide a response after the opening-day defeat. It would give Glasner a positive result before a difficult league schedule continues.
For Leeds, another victory would add to the strong start under Farke. They could also use the match to test players who did not start on Saturday.
The winner will move into the third round of the EFL Cup.
Forest Have More Than Revenge on Their Minds
It is easy to call this a revenge match, but Forest have more to consider.
The bigger aim is to start building a new team under Glasner. The manager needs his players to understand his ideas and gain trust in the new system. A cup victory could help with that process.
The club also has several squad decisions to make before the transfer window closes. Forest have already made major moves this summer, including the arrival of Ousmane Diomande from Sporting and Xaver Schlager from RB Leipzig.
A good cup display could help show whether the current squad has enough depth for the season ahead.
Leeds Have the Mental Edge
Leeds have one clear advantage before the match: they already know they can beat Forest at the City Ground.
The 1-0 win also gave their new players a strong first taste of competitive football. Trafford’s clean sheet was especially useful, while Stach became the match winner with his late free kick.
But Leeds cannot assume Tuesday will be easy. Forest will have home support, a reason to respond and a different team from the one that lost on Saturday.
Farke has also warned that the cup match cannot be judged by the previous result. The teams may use different players and take different risks.
A Tight Contest Looks Likely
This match has many signs of a close contest. Saturday’s game was decided by one goal, and both teams have reasons to be careful.
Forest need a result but cannot leave too much space for Leeds. Leeds want to protect their recent advantage but will also need to create enough chances to win again.
The absence of Gibbs-White is a blow for Forest, while Leeds also have injury concerns. Gabriel Gudmundsson and Wilfried Gnonto are not expected to feature after missing team training, according to the latest reports.
That could make squad depth an important part of the night.
The Bigger Picture
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United is not just another second-round cup fixture. It is a rare case of two Premier League clubs meeting again almost at once, at the same stadium, after a league match decided by one late goal.
Leeds have the recent victory. Forest have the home crowd and a strong reason to respond. Both managers can also change their lineups, which means the second match may have a very different feel.
The kick-off is set for 8:00 p.m. UK time on Tuesday, 25 August, at the City Ground. The winner will advance to the third round of the EFL Cup.
After Saturday’s narrow result, the question is simple: can Leeds repeat their success, or can Forest turn the rematch into a quick answer?
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