Leeds United are finally ready to begin their new Premier League campaign, with Daniel Farke’s side facing a difficult opening-day test against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
There is plenty of intrigue surrounding the fixture. Forest are beginning a new era under Oliver Glasner, while Leeds will be looking to start the campaign strongly and show that they are ready to compete at Premier League level. With both sides carrying plenty of ambition into the new season, Farke knows his first major decisions of the campaign will come under immediate scrutiny.
But there is one particular decision that could get Leeds supporters talking before kick-off and it concerns Noah Okafor. The Switzerland international is not widely expected to start, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin tipped to lead the attack. However, after what Okafor did the last time Leeds faced Forest, some supporters may wonder whether Farke should rethink his plans.
When Leeds defeated Forest 3-1 at Elland Road in February, Okafor was among the goalscorers. Calvert-Lewin also found the net that night, but Okafor’s contribution showed exactly the kind of threat he can provide against this opponent.
So the question is simple:
If Okafor has already shown that he can hurt Nottingham Forest, should Farke really leave him waiting on the bench?
Calvert-Lewin remains the obvious choice
There is no doubt that Calvert-Lewin remains one of Farke’s most trusted attacking players.
The striker scored 15 goals in all competitions last season and is expected to start Saturday’s opening fixture. His physical presence gives Leeds a focal point in attack, while his ability to hold the ball up can allow the players around him to move forward.
It would therefore be surprising if Farke suddenly abandoned that approach.
But this isn’t necessarily about replacing Calvert-Lewin.
It is about whether Farke can find a way to use Okafor’s qualities alongside him or introduce him early enough to cause Forest problems.
Okafor offers something different.
His pace and movement can stretch defenders, particularly when there is space behind a defensive line.
And at the City Ground, that could become extremely important.
Forest are entering a new era
This isn’t the same Nottingham Forest side Leeds faced earlier in the year.
Oliver Glasner is now in charge, and today’s match represents his first competitive game as Forest manager.
That brings another layer of uncertainty.
Glasner will want his team to make an immediate impression in front of the home supporters, while Leeds will be hoping to spoil the occasion.
Forest’s home advantage could make the opening stages especially difficult for Leeds, and Farke will need his attacking players to remain composed if the hosts start aggressively.
That is another reason Okafor’s pace could become valuable.
If Forest push forward, Leeds could potentially exploit the space left behind.
Farke has already seen the evidence
The strongest argument for Okafor isn’t simply based on potential.
Farke has already watched him score against Forest.
That 3-1 victory at Elland Road demonstrated that Leeds have the attacking quality to cause Forest serious problems, and Okafor’s goal gave the manager evidence of what the forward can produce against this particular opposition.
Of course, football changes quickly.
Forest have a new manager, different tactical ideas and a different challenge for Leeds to deal with.
Farke cannot simply copy the plan from February and expect the same result.
But having a player who has already experienced success against the opponent can still be valuable.
This is where supporters could disagree
Imagine Leeds start the match with Calvert-Lewin leading the line and struggle to create clear chances.
The first question from supporters could be obvious:
Why isn’t Okafor playing?
That question would become even louder if Forest begin to tire and Okafor comes off the bench and immediately changes the game.
On the other hand, if Calvert-Lewin scores and Leeds win, the debate disappears almost instantly.
That is the difficult reality of football management.
A decision can look questionable before kick-off and brilliant after 90 minutes.
Farke will know that better than anyone.
Leeds have other selection problems too
The decision becomes even more interesting because Leeds are not going into the match with every attacking option available.
Willy Gnonto is unavailable with a hamstring problem, while Gabriel Gudmundsson is also expected to miss the fixture. Ilia Gruev is another player whose availability has been a concern.
That means Farke has fewer options than he would ideally want.
Every attacking decision matters.
Every substitution could matter.
And if Leeds find themselves chasing the game, Okafor could become one of the most important players on the bench.
Forest have their own problems
The hosts aren’t completely free of selection concerns either.
Ryan Yates and Nicolò Savona are unavailable, according to the latest reports, meaning Glasner will also have to work around absences as he begins his Forest reign.
That could make the tactical battle even more fascinating.
Both managers have important decisions to make.
Both teams have players missing.
And both sides have something to prove.
The decision could define the conversation
For Leeds, this opening fixture represents more than simply three points.
It is an opportunity to show that they are ready to compete again at Premier League level.
- For Farke, it is the beginning of another campaign in which every tactical decision will be analysed.
And for Okafor, it could be an opportunity to remind the manager exactly what he can bring to the team.
The choice seems straightforward on paper.
Calvert-Lewin is the established No. 9.
Okafor is the player who can change the tempo and give defenders a different problem.
But perhaps Farke doesn’t have to choose between them.
Perhaps the real masterstroke would be finding the right way to use both.