Forest, meanwhile, have won just two of their past nine Premier League games.
Crucially, one of those was a 2-1 victory at West Ham last month, which kept the Hammers from moving one point behind.
And, even when Nuno Espirito Santo’s side beat Sunderland two weeks ago, Forest reacted with an impressive 2-0 win at Brentford 24 hours later.
Those results were achieved, however, with a first-choice defence – and the absence of Matz Sels with a groin injury has been a huge loss too.
It was a gamble to replace last season’s joint Golden Glove winner with John Victor in December and one which ultimately backfired, with Victor himself now also sidelined for the rest of the campaign.
That prompted Forest to bring in Stefan Ortega from Manchester City during the transfer window – but his debut against Leeds meant a defence which was so consistent last season was only changed further.
Zach Abbott was another debutant at Elland Road, the 19-year-old making his first Premier League appearance in the absence of injured defender Murillo.
Abbott was targeted in the first half as Leeds seized on his inexperience – although Leeds’ goals were ultimately down to a collective failure.