MATCHDAY at the City Ground once again. Tarik Muharemović and Leeds United return to Nottingham Forest tonight for their second-round EFL Cup tie.

The game kicks off at 8:00pm BST and brings the two sides together again only a few days after their Premier League meeting at the same venue.

This time there are no league points available. One team will move into the third round of the competition, while the other will see its EFL Cup campaign come to an early end.

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United in the EFL Cup

The quick return to Nottingham creates an unusual situation for Daniel Farke and his players, who have barely had time to move on from their first visit to the City Ground before preparing for the same opponent again.

The first meeting also gave Tarik Muharemović an early taste of competitive football at the stadium. The Bosnian defender was trusted from the opening whistle in the Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest, continuing the momentum he had built throughout pre-season.

Tonight brings a different type of test. Cup football leaves no room to make up for a poor result in the following week, making progression the only objective for both sides.

Another chance for Muharemović to strengthen his position

Muharemović has enjoyed an encouraging opening period at Leeds and has already been trusted in several important fixtures.

His move to England has quickly developed into a genuine battle for regular first-team football, with his Leeds United career beginning with valuable minutes against strong opposition and increasing responsibility in the defensive line.

Whether Farke keeps the 23-year-old in the starting XI tonight remains one of the most interesting selection questions before the official lineups are announced.

The EFL Cup could also provide the head coach with an opportunity to rotate some positions, particularly with the Premier League campaign already under way.

City Ground already familiar territory

Leeds will not need much introduction to tonight's surroundings.

Only days ago, the Whites arrived at the same stadium for their opening league fixture, meaning both teams have recent knowledge of each other's shape, movement and approach.

That first competitive meeting with Forest gave Leeds an immediate idea of the intensity they can expect again under the City Ground lights.

Forest, meanwhile, will have their own motivation in front of the home support and will be looking to make sure the second meeting produces a different outcome.

Selection could be key in the EFL Cup

One of the biggest questions before kick-off concerns how heavily both managers will rotate their teams.

The fixture comes at the beginning of a long domestic season, but a place in the third round remains valuable and neither side will want to exit the competition at the first hurdle.

For Leeds, balancing freshness with continuity will therefore be important. Players who have featured heavily may be given a rest, while others could receive an opportunity to make a case for more regular minutes.

Muharemović falls into an interesting category after establishing himself as a serious defensive option during the summer and the opening stages of competitive action.

Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United: Match details

  • Fixture: Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United
  • Competition: EFL Cup
  • Round: Second round
  • Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
  • Kick-off: 8:00pm BST
  • Venue: City Ground, Nottingham

A place in the third round at stake

There is a simple objective for Leeds tonight: win and continue the cup run.

The quick turnaround and familiarity between the two sides should make for an intriguing contest, particularly if the managers make significant changes to their starting lineups.

For Muharemović, any involvement would provide another opportunity to build on a promising start at Leeds and continue proving that he can play an important role across multiple competitions this season.

Kick-off at the City Ground is scheduled for 8:00pm BST.