Leeds United

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke, speaking to Match of the Day: "I always back my players and Anton Stach always has those moments. I expected a difficult game away at Forest. I'm very happy to come away with a clean sheet and compliments to the players."

On new signings: "Very happy because they have big boots to fill. James Trafford is a good player, but he hasn't played that many Premier League games, Tarik too. So they both shined and showed why we agreed to sign them, but the whole group was excellent today. Harry Wilson, too, was excellent. The vibe and mood is good around the place."

On Leeds' away record: "Away games in the Premier League are always difficult, sometimes the second year is more difficult. Last season we picked up many points with draws. On the road we want to be competitive and be more effective."

On playing Nottingham Forest again on Tuesday: "It's what happens in football, at least we can travel in a good mood."

Leeds captain Ethan Ampadu, speaking to Final Score: "We've been working the last six, seven weeks to make sure we get off to the best start. We can't complain with a 1-0 away from home. We knew it was going to be a difficult place to come. We wanted to make sure we could put our stamp on the game and start the game well.

On new signings James Trafford and Harry Wilson: "From the very first minute they walked in the build they have shown their quality. They have shown why they have been brought in to try and help us get to the next level. They've shown that hunger and drive to take Leeds to a better place, so that has been very good. They've settled in very well. Harry Wilson fits in very well with everyone and I think the fans will enjoy him as well."

Listen to more from Ethan Ampadu on BBC Sounds here

Did you know?

• Leeds United have won five of their last eight Premier League games (D2 L1), with only Arsenal (18) collecting more points in the top-flight since the start of April than their 17.

• Leeds United have won their opening Premier League match of the season for the third successive campaign; it's their joint-longest run in the competition along with between 2000-01 and 2002-03.

Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Daniel Farke called for more backing after Leeds finished eight points clear of the bottom three last season.

The club responded with an £80m investment to sign goalkeeper James Trafford, winger Harry Wilson and Bosnia-Herzegovina defender Tarik Muharemovic.

All three were in the starting line-up at the City Ground, with Trafford proving why Leeds spent a record fee for a British goalkeeper on him as he produced a fine diving save to deny Igor Jesus only 17 minutes in.

Wilson, who scored 10 goals and provided seven assists for Fulham last season, also was lively but would have been disappointed after latching on to the low delivery from Jayden Bogle, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin in an onside position behind him.

However, it was Anton Stach who turned what would have been a satisfactory draw into three points with his moment of brilliance.

One of the best in the league when it comes to set-pieces, the German curled his effort over the Forest defensive wall and just beyond the outstretched hands of Matz Sels in the 88th minute.

Stach has scored five goals from outside the penalty area since the start of last season - more than any other player - while no player has more goals from direct free-kicks during that time than his four.

The winning start could offer Leeds more encouragement to aim even higher this season.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Nottingham Forest's performance

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Reaction and analysis to follow - and come back on Monday for a selection of your replies.

There are five games in the Premier League on Saturday as the opening weekend continues, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Hull City v Man Utd (12:30)

• Everton v Crystal Palace - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Ipswich v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Nottingham Forest v Leeds

• Brentford v Tottenham (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated.

Follow all of the action and reaction here

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What a strange season Nottingham Forest had last time, going through four managers and all with differing styles.

They were 'knee-jerk Nottingham Forest' but they stayed up and got to the Europa League semi-finals.

Now? Well Oliver Glasner is in charge and they have got Chris Wood back from injury, which is great news for them - his experience and goals will be crucial.

Of course they are going to miss Elliot Anderson in midfield but holding on to Morgan Gibbs-White was a big deal, and Callum Hudson-Odoi too.

I was delighted for Leeds boss Daniel Farke that he proved people wrong by keeping them up last year.

There will be high hopes they can stay out of trouble this time after signing Harry Wilson, who was so good for Fulham, and James Trafford is an excellent buy too.

I am covering this game for BBC Radio 5 Live but it is almost impossible to predict. Glasner usually went with a 3-4-3 shape at Crystal Palace but has gone on record saying he works with what he has got, so I am not sure how they will line up for this game.

It will be very interesting to see how Forest start, and how Glasner fares. Will he still be there in September?

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Nottingham Forest begin Premier League life under Oliver Glasner against a Leeds United side looking to kick on after finishing in the relative comfort of 14th place last season.

BBC Sport examines some of the key themes ahead of their meeting at the City Ground.

Glasner's arrival after winning the FA Cup and Europa Conference League with Crystal Palace is something of a coup for a club that struggled in the league last season despite boasting a talented squad.

Something of a rebuild is required after the influential Elliott Anderson departed for Manchester City and while Forest more than tripled the £35m fee paid to Newcastle United in 2024, they may take some time to adapt to losing the England international.

Forest have brought in experienced Austria international Xaver Schlager as Anderson's replacement, alongside Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande. In another boost, Morgan Gibbs-White appears to be staying put.

With time left in the transfer window to strengthen further, perhaps what the club needs most of all is stability in the dugout.

A merry-go-round of four managers last season was a key factor in Forest's difficult league campaign. They finished 16th after amassing 44 points having finished seventh with 65 the previous season.

The drop-off was the third biggest negative differential in any club's points tally after Liverpool and relegated Wolves.

Each of the last six permanent Forest managers has lost their first Premier League game in charge, since Dave Bassett led them to a 1-0 win away at Spurs in March 1997.

Glasner, though, may be the man to buck this trend - he's won his first league game at four of his five previous clubs.

Leeds United finished eight points clear of the bottom three in 2025-26 and their supporters may also be aiming higher this season after boss Daniel Farke's backing in the transfer market.

James Trafford has arrived for a fee which could rise to a record £45m for a British goalkeeper along with winger Harry Wilson, who scored 10 goals and provided seven assists for Fulham last season, and Bosnia-Herzegovina centre-back Tarik Muharemovic.

Farke can take much of the credit for re-establishing Leeds at the highest level after switching to a back three in December.

Based on results since the change in formation was made, Leeds would have finished seventh in the Premier League table across the remainder of last season.

The improvement in form was also influenced by striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. He scored 14 league goals, his second-most in a top-flight campaign after 16 in 2020-21.

Would Chelsea winger Mykhailo Mudryk work at Leeds United?

BBC Radio Leeds sports editor Jonny Buchan and commentator Adam Pope have pondered the possibility.

Take a look at the clip above.

Listen to their new Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast about the Premier League opener on BBC Sounds here or hit play below

Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

While fellow promoted side Sunderland won the majority of plaudits for finishing seventh, Leeds actually had the stronger underlying numbers last season but finished in 14th place as they struggled to take their chances.

Given that Leeds scored the 11th-most goals and also impressively ranked 11th for shots and expected goals, it would seem that their finishing was fine.

But while other teams made more of their chances, Daniel Farke's side actually scored six goals fewer than their xG, finishing with the fifth-worst shot-conversion rate in the league.

They didn't rank so highly at the back but still did well enough for a side in their first season back in the Premier League.

Only the relegated sides and Tottenham conceded more goals than Leeds' 56, which is exactly how many a team has historically let in given the chances that they gave up (55.7 xG against).

Leeds United, Everton and Liverpool are among the clubs monitoring Midtjylland's 22-year-old Chile winger Dario Osorio. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

In the Premier League last season, 13 of the 20 teams finished with between 40 and 60 points - the most in an English top-flight campaign since 2003-04 (also 13).

Was the Premier League so competitive in 2025-26 because the quality of the 'lesser' teams got better or the top teams got worse? It is hard to know for sure.

Given how savvy clubs like Brighton, Brentford and Bournemouth are, the vast amounts of money that enable even bottom-half sides to sign the best talent from abroad and the Premier League's current dominance of the Europa League and Conference League, it would seem to be the former.

However, the fact that promoted play-off winners Sunderland were able to finish above 13 teams in their first season back suggests the league was maybe not as strong as we think.

What we do know is that whether because they got worse or their opponents got better, four of the sides that finished in the top seven in 2024-25 - champions Liverpool, Chelsea, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest - took 79 points fewer between them last season.

While Forest's decline was perhaps expected given their incredible seventh-place finish in 2024-25 and their journey to the Europa League semi-finals last season, the others were far more surprising.

Sunderland and Leeds smashed the recent run of promoted sides struggling to compete by taking 64 more points than the teams they replaced in the top flight.

As a result, this season will be a bit of an upside-down one in that Bournemouth, Brighton and Sunderland have European campaigns to navigate while Chelsea, Tottenham and Newcastle do not.

Will we therefore see a bounce-back to the more 'traditional' order in 2026-27 or are we truly entering a new, fiercely-competitive era of the Premier League?

Read more on the Premier League's competitiveness

Image source, LEEDS UNITED

Leeds United attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson has committed his future to Elland Road by penning a new three-year contract.

The 25-year-old, who left Red Bull Salzburg to join Leeds United in May 2022, has made 129 senior appearances, scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists across his four seasons at the club.

However, he spent the 2023-24 season on loan with Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin.

Aaronson featured 37 times in the Premier League last season, scoring four goals and contributing five assists as Daniel Farke's side finished a respectable 14th in the table.

He also represented the United States at this summer's World Cup, making a 77-minute appearance in their final group-stage match against Turkey.

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground (15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Farke emphasised Leeds' "really good pre-season" but added: "Right now, the real stuff starts and we're looking forward to it."

• He confirmed Willy Gnonto and Gabriel Gudmundsson will miss the game with respective hamstring issues, but he hopes to have Gnonto "back in team training soon".

• Asked what his aspirations for the season are, Farke replied: "It's important to start as well as possible and keep in mind where we are coming from and what the past has told us. The past has told us a second solid season after promotion is difficult because the expectations are a bit higher and maybe players don't have a point to prove any more. It's a very dangerous year so our first and foremost target is to achieve 40 points and to make sure we again earn the right to stay in the best league in the world. If there is more to achieve then it's step by step - but we stay humble and realistic and know that a difficult season lies ahead."

• On Leeds' transfer window so far: "I won't speak about positions and profiles. I'm very happy with our transfer window - we've done excellent business so far. I am happy with our group. I will push to the last day to get the best possible squad. This is what this club deserves."

• He is happy with Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu signing new deals: "We will try to also keep our best players. It is definitely good news with Ampadu, Rodon and Jayden. So far, so good - but we will push until the end. Maybe more in the next few days - let's see."

• On new signing Nico Elvedi: "It was his first time with us yesterday. I don't have too much to say - his CV speaks for himself. He has played 11 years for one club, which shows his loyalty. He played a quarter-final in the World Cup and looked rock solid. Nico comes ready for this challenge and with excitement. He's very flexible in the position he plays. He can play at right and left centre-back. He gives us cover in a different positions. We thought that, next to his other qualities, made him a perfect fit for us."

• Farke was asked about his relationship with the club's owners, 49ers Enterprises: "We are speaking on a daily basis about what we have to do. It is a big challenge this second year for us. We have to make sure that, with all the excitement, we stay humble and do our business. Actions speak louder than words. We want to make sure we have a successful season and are not too carried away with too much optimism and excitement. We are on the same page and happy with the business so far - but we won't fall asleep."

Hit play above to hear more from Farke or listen on BBC Sounds here

Listen to commentary of Forest v Leeds on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds on Saturday

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences

Got a question about Leeds? Get in touch here and we'll seek answers from our experts

This Saturday, you can join the BBC Radio Leeds team live at the City Ground.

Adam Pope and Jon Newsome will bring you all the colour from Leeds' season opener.

The full commentary from 15:00 BST is available throughout the UK on BBC Sounds or on 92.4FM via BBC Radio Leeds.

Catch it all here

Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds

Image source, LEEDS UNITED

Leeds United right-back Jayden Bogle has signed a new four-year contract to extend his stay at Elland Road.

The 26-year-old, who joined from Sheffield United in July 2024, made 44 appearances in his first season at the club, scoring six goals and registering five assists as Daniel Farke's side clinched the Championship title.

His form also earned him a place in the Championship Team of the Season and PFA Team of the Year.

Bogle featured 29 times in all competitions last season, scoring one goal and contributing four assists as Leeds finished 14th in the Premier League and reached the FA Cup semi-finals.

"It was an easy one for me," he told LUTV, external. "There's a lot of different emotions. I'm proud after having a bit of time to reflect on how the journey has gone so far. It has been special.

"Something you dream of when you're a kid is playing in an atmosphere like this and competing in the best league in the world. So far, it has been amazing.

"When I first signed, I said you could feel the winning feeling around the place. This club has been in special places in the past and everyone has the ambition to get back there."

Last season: 14th.

This season: 15th.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke wanted a show of ambition from the club this summer. He has got it, so now it is up to him.

James Trafford will hope to press his claims to succeed Jordan Pickford as England's next goalkeeper after a club-record £45m move from Manchester City, while the capture of Harry Wilson from Fulham was a real coup.

Tarik Muharemovic, the 23-year-old Bosnia-Herzegovina centre-back signed from Serie A side Sassuolo for £34m, will add defensive solidity.

As with last season, I expect the hothouse Elland Road atmosphere to be a crucial factor.

• Read more of Phil's predictions

Chris Collinson
BBC Sport statistician

Image source, Getty Images

Teams in the bottom half of the Premier League in 2025-26 finished with more points than they had in years, meaning that judging them simply by their position in the table is perhaps a little harsh.

Everton may have been underwhelmed with their 13th-place finish but it was the most points a team in that position had finished with since the Toffees themselves in 1999-2000.

The points of the four places below them were all the highest they have been in the Premier League for 23 years and West Ham can consider themselves unlucky to have gone down with the highest points total for an 18th-placed side since 2010-11.

However, competition has come at a cost.

One place where the Premier League has become less competitive - because it has become more fiercely-contested overall - is at the very bottom.

While it is almost expected for one side to be cut adrift long before the end of the season, nowadays two sides are getting left behind.

The average points tally of the second-bottom side in a 38-game season is 31, meaning teams that finish there have usually competed in a relegation battle for most of the season before ultimately falling short.

After the Premier League was reduced to 20 teams in 1995-96, only two 19th-placed sides failed to reach 30 points in the first 21 seasons. But in the past decade, seven of the 10 sides to finish in that position have failed to do so.

In the past two seasons, promoted sides Ipswich and Burnley have both finished there with just 22 points - the fewest ever taken by a second-bottom side.

Relegation battles are now mostly a fight to see who takes the final spot in the bottom three, with the other two accounted for long before the final day - often by promoted sides.

But inspired by the survival of Sunderland and Leeds, promoted trio Coventry City, Ipswich Town and Hull City will all be hoping they have what it takes to match the competitiveness of the Premier League this season.

Read more on the Premier League's competitive numbers

Image source, Getty Images

Leeds United defender Joe Rodon has signed a new contract with the Premier League club until the summer of 2030.

Rodon joined the Whites permanently in the summer of 2024 after a season on loan while Leeds were in the Championship.

He has made a total of 136 appearances for the club in all competitions, scoring three goals.

On his extension, Leeds said: "Away from the pitch, Joe's professionalism and dedication to engaging with the important community work delivered by the Leeds United Foundation has been terrific, attending a number of events and raising spirits across West Yorkshire.

"We are incredibly pleased Joe has put pen to paper on a new deal with the club and we are now excited to see him continuing to excel as a Leeds United player."

Image source, Getty Images

New signing Nico Elvedi says he is looking forward to the "special moment" he walks through the Elland Road tunnel for the first time and sees the Leeds United supporters.

The 29-year-old centre-back, who has joined from Borussia Monchengladbach, said Switzerland team-mate Noah Okafor told him many "good things about the club" while at the 2026 World Cup and he liked what he heard.

"I am very happy to be here, everything is done and I can't wait to play for this club," Elvedi said. "It is such a big club with amazing fans and I also can't wait to play in this stadium with the fans.

"I saw some videos from the stadium, from the fans, and I love it.

"Everybody told me it is a special moment to go through the tunnel and see the atmosphere. I can't wait to see that."

Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds, German football reporter Christian Hornung said the defender "is reliable" and "tough" in one-v-one situations.

"He has a really good tackle and is good at heading," said Hornung. "He isn't a magician on the pitch but he does what he can.

"If you pick Nico Elvedi then you know what you get and I think he's a really fantastic player.

"It's a really good deal for Leeds."

Listen to more analysis of Elvedi from Christian Hornung on BBC Sounds