Tarik Muharemović and Leeds United are ready to turn their attention from pre-season to Premier League football as they prepare for an opening-day trip to Nottingham Forest.
The Whites head to the City Ground for their first league fixture of the 2026/27 campaign, with the match providing an early indication of how Daniel Farke's side are shaping up after a busy summer.
For Muharemović, the occasion could carry particular significance as he prepares for the first competitive league test of his new chapter with Leeds.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United preview
Leeds arrive at the Premier League opener with momentum after ending their pre-season programme in impressive fashion.
The final warm-up produced a convincing 4-0 victory over FC Augsburg at Elland Road, with Muharemović among the scorers. The Bosnia and Herzegovina international found the net in the first half to register his first goal for Leeds and cap an encouraging summer with another memorable moment.
We covered that breakthrough in more detail after Tarik Muharemović scored his first Leeds goal against Augsburg.
The challenge now changes completely. Friendly results are left behind and every decision, duel and point begins to matter as Leeds step into the competitive schedule.
Muharemović enters Premier League opener in good form
Muharemović has used pre-season to build rhythm, develop relationships with his new teammates and adapt to the demands of his new surroundings.
The 23-year-old featured in several of Leeds' major summer tests and earned further confidence with his performance and goal against Augsburg.
His progress since joining the club can be followed in more detail on our Tarik Muharemović Leeds United career page.
Attention will now turn to Daniel Farke's team selection at the City Ground. Pre-season offered clues about potential defensive combinations, but competitive football will provide the first real indication of where Muharemović stands in the manager's plans for the opening weeks of the campaign.
City Ground provides a demanding first test
Nottingham Forest away is unlikely to offer Leeds an easy introduction to the new Premier League season.
The City Ground can provide an intense atmosphere, while Forest have the physical and attacking qualities to test a Leeds defence that has been working on its structure throughout the summer.
That should make the game particularly interesting from Muharemović's perspective. If selected, the Bosnian defender will immediately face the type of pace, physicality and pressure that defines Premier League football.
Leeds will need to remain composed without the ball while also showing enough ambition to carry their positive pre-season momentum into the opening round.
Leeds arrive after emphatic Augsburg victory
The Whites could hardly have asked for a more convincing final result before the league campaign.
Leeds defeated Augsburg 4-0 at Elland Road, with Anton Stach, Muharemović, James Justin and Lukas Nmecha finding the net. The official Leeds match report confirmed Muharemović's 19th-minute strike as part of a dominant performance.
For Farke, however, the result was still viewed as part of the preparation process rather than an end in itself. The real test begins with the trip to Nottingham.
What to watch for against Nottingham Forest
One of the biggest questions ahead of kick-off will be the composition of Leeds' defence and whether Muharemović is trusted from the opening whistle.
His performances during pre-season have given the coaching staff options, while the Forest game will demand concentration from the first minute.
Leeds will also be looking to establish themselves quickly in midfield and avoid allowing the home side to build momentum through the atmosphere at the City Ground.
At the other end, the Whites will hope their attacking players can continue the confidence shown during the final stages of the summer programme.
Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United: Match details
- Fixture: Nottingham Forest vs Leeds United
- Competition: Premier League
- Venue: City Ground, Nottingham
- Round: Opening league fixture of the 2026/27 season
For Leeds, the opening game represents the moment when weeks of preparation finally give way to competitive football.
For Muharemović, it could be the beginning of another important stage in his career as he looks to carry his positive pre-season form into the Premier League.
