Key Points
- Nottingham Forest face a potential double injury blow ahead of their Friday night Premier League clash with Leeds United at Elland Road, described as a relegation six-pointer.
- Goalkeeper Matz Sels was forced off at half-time during Forest’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last weekend due to a suspected groin injury and is doubtful for the match; he will undergo a scan.
- Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi was substituted at half-time in the same game with a shoulder injury, later seen with his arm in a sling post-match, making him doubtful; scans are pending.
- Neco Williams received a straight red card in the 45th minute for deliberate handball on the goal-line against Crystal Palace, ruling him out through suspension for the Leeds game.
- Ismaila Sarr scored the resulting penalty for Crystal Palace after Williams’ dismissal, but Forest held firm despite playing with 10 men in the second half.
- Sean Dyche, Nottingham Forest manager, confirmed the injuries post-match, stating Sels has “what we think is a groin injury” and Hudson-Odoi has “hurt his shoulder,” with both needing scans.
- Forest drew 1-1 with Crystal Palace, with Morgan Gibbs-White scoring the opener before Sarr’s equaliser; no shots on target from Palace in the second half.
- Additional Forest absences include Nicolo Savona, John Victor, and Chris Wood, all ruled out for the Leeds encounter.
- Backup goalkeeper Angus Gunn replaced Sels and performed well, potentially stepping in if needed.
- The match is pivotal for both sides in the relegation battle, with Forest holding a six-point buffer above the drop zone.
Leeds (The Leeds Times) February 4, 2026 – Nottingham Forest are grappling with a mounting injury crisis and a suspension ahead of their crucial Premier League relegation showdown against Leeds United at Elland Road on Friday evening, as confirmed by manager Sean Dyche following their hard-fought 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
What Happened in the Crystal Palace Draw?
The drama unfolded at the City Ground last Sunday, where Nottingham Forest secured a valuable point despite significant setbacks. As reported by Sky Sports, Neco Williams was sent off in the 45th minute for a “spectacular goal-line handball” on Jefferson Lerma’s header from a corner, allowing Crystal Palace’s Ismaila Sarr to convert the penalty and equalise Morgan Gibbs-White’s early opener.
Forest’s woes deepened at half-time, with goalkeeper Matz Sels substituted due to a groin problem and winger Callum Hudson-Odoi removed owing to a shoulder injury. Sean Dyche commented post-match, as cited by BBC Sport:
“He’s got what we think is a groin injury. He’ll have a scan as soon as possible. But Gunny [Angus Gunn] did terrific when he came on.”
On Hudson-Odoi, Dyche added, according to the Nottingham Post via RotoWire: “He has hurt his shoulder so we will have to get that scanned as well… Hopefully it is nothing too serious but we will probably find out more tomorrow.” Hudson-Odoi was later photographed with his injured arm in a sling, heightening concerns.
Which Players Are Doubtful for Elland Road?
Matz Sels and Callum Hudson-Odoi headline the doubts for Forest’s trip to Leeds. The Leeds Press reports:
“Goalkeeper Matz Sels was taken off at half-time against Palace on Sunday for a suspected groin injury and is doubtful for the game.”
RotoWire echoes this, noting Sels as the “undisputed starter” who now faces scans, with Gunn or Stefan Ortega as potential replacements.
Hudson-Odoi’s shoulder issue compounds the problem. OneFootball states: “Hudson-Odoi both withdrawn at half-time and set to have scans. Sels sustained a suspected groin problem, while Hudson-Odoi hurt his shoulder.” His regular starts this season make his potential absence a blow to Forest’s attack.
Neco Williams is confirmed out via suspension. Sky Sports detailed:
“Williams was shown a straight red card by referee Tony Harrington… The first straight red card for handball in the Premier League by an outfield player since Chelsea’s Reece James in August 2021.”
Who Else Is Missing from Nottingham Forest?
Beyond the fresh concerns, Forest have established absentees. The Leeds Press confirms:
“Neco Williams, Nicolo Savona, John Victor and Chris Wood are all out for the Leeds game.”
Chris Wood’s ongoing knock has been highlighted in previews, with Sports Mole noting fitness worries around the striker.
Earlier reports from Leeds All Over mention other long-term issues, though focused on prior fixtures, underscoring Forest’s thin squad depth. Dyche praised his side’s resilience:
“There were numerous outstanding performances today,”
per BBC Sport, after shifting to a 4-3-2 formation.
How Has Sean Dyche Responded?
Sean Dyche has been forthright on the setbacks. In his post-Palace presser, as reported by Sky Sports: “On Matz Sels’ withdrawal: ‘We think it’s a groin injury. He’ll have a scan as soon as possible.'” He lauded Gunn’s debut and the team’s mentality:
“How are we going to deal with it? How are we going to contain them and look a threat? We did that very well.”
Dyche refused to criticise Williams harshly:
“He has been terrific for us, so I’m not going to question him on that, it’s just one of those things.”
Regarding the bigger picture, he acknowledged the relegation fight’s stakes without specifics on Leeds prep yet.
Morgan Gibbs-White echoed the resolve on BBC Radio Nottingham: comments on the draw’s mentality shift, though full quotes emphasise team spirit.
Why Is This a Relegation Six-Pointer?
Both clubs languish near the bottom, with Forest 17th and six points clear of relegation per Sports Mole. Leeds All Over frames it as vital, noting Forest’s prior 3-1 win via Ibrahim Sangare, Gibbs-White, and Elliot Anderson. The Yorkshire Evening Post, via Kyle Newbould, labels it a “Premier League relegation six-pointer.”
Previews highlight mutual desperation: Forest seek consistency under Dyche, while Leeds aim to capitalise on home soil. BBC Sport notes Forest’s third first-half red card in league history with Williams’ dismissal.
What Are the Implications for Both Teams?
For Forest, losing Sels disrupts their backline stability, with Gunn untested long-term. Hudson-Odoi’s flair absence hampers counter-attacks, especially sans Williams’ crossing. Leeds could exploit set-pieces, given Forest’s recent resilience but numerical disadvantage precedent.
Leeds have their issues, like James Justin’s doubt post-Arsenal, per The Leeds Press. Yet, Elland Road’s atmosphere favours Daniel Farke’s men in this survival scrap. Sky Sports trivia: Gibbs-White nears club legends in Premier League goals (23).
Dyche’s pragmatic style—grit and defence—shone Sunday, but injuries test squad rotation ahead of Friday’s 8pm kick-off. Full scans will clarify, but Forest enter vulnerable.
Historical Context and Stats
Forest’s Palace draw stats: only Gibbs-White’s goal as shot on target; Palace nil post-red. Williams’ handball evokes rare precedents. Against Leeds, reverse fixture dominance bodes well, but away form and injuries tilt scales.
This fixture underscores Premier League intensity: both seek first wins or stability under Dyche/Farke. Neutral observers eye points’ value in February’s crunch.
