Nottingham Forest v Southampton
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Kick Off: 20:00
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Competition: Premier League
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Watch Live: Sky Sports Main Event
This could be the game that finally damns one of these sides to Sky Bet Championship football next season. The hosts, Nottingham Forest, are still relying on other sides’ dropping points in a bid for survival. Southampton however, have all but one foot in the second tier given the gap between themselves and 18th. A huge clash at the City Ground, and one we will be supplying bet builder tips for in our Nottingham Forest v Southampton Bet Builder Tips
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Last Chance Saloon for Nottingham Forest?
Nottingham Forest will see this as a massive chance to pull themselves out of the relegation zone and will come into this match knowing the results from earlier in the day at Leicester and Everton. Forest may only be in the relegation zone on goal difference but their poor form means they are by no means favourites to stay up right now. They have won just 1 of their last 13 and lost 7 of their last 9.
With Brennan Johnson injured, Morgan Gibbs-White has had to step up for Forest, aided by the return of Taiwo Awoniyi to the Forest squad from injury. Gibbs-White has scored or assisted half of Forest’s goals over their last 5 matches and is the side’s second-highest scorer in the league despite only scoring 4 but his 6 assists have also been vital. While Awoniyi’s return from injury has brought a presence up front, Gibbs-White is still the main creator in the team, if Southampton can stop him then Forest will struggle.
Nottingham Forest Team News
Nottingham Forest fans will be waiting anxiously to find out whether Brennan Johnson will be fit enough to return to the team. The young Welshman has 8 goals for Forest in the league but will have to pass a late fitness test if he is to play here. Forest should also benefit from the return of Jonjo Shelvey after he picked up a knock last week but Cooper says he should be back for this match. Despite the good news with these two players, Neco Williams is confirmed to be out till the end of the season which is a massive loss for Forest, and Danilo, who has scored in both their previous matches, is also injured and won’t be available for a couple of weeks.
Do or Die for Saints
This match is effectively a last throw of the dice for Southampton, with Liverpool at the end of the season still to play, as well as Brighton and Fulham, this is their best chance by far to pick up important points and get back within touching distance of safety. Southampton look bereft of confidence, they have only taken 1 point in their last 6 matches and are 9 games without a win.
However, their last win came against Leicester in a big match for their survival and this would be the perfect opportunity to make that another win here. Selles likes to set his team up in a 4-4-2 formation with hard-working players up front. They seem to be struggling to find the right balance with this formation however, the last 2 times they have scored more than once in a match they have drawn 3-3. Southampton bet builder predictions would be risky to back over 2.5 goals, against teams in the bottom half of the league, none of their last 6 matches have had over 2.5 goals.
Southampton Team News
Tino Livramento could be back for Southampton after he played 45 minutes for the B team last week, his return would likely see Walker-Peters move over to left back. However, Selles did say they needed further time to test Livramento’s fitness so it is not guaranteed that he will come straight into the starting lineup.
Southampton should benefit from the return of Onuachu after missing a couple of games with injury, however, he has seen very limited minutes under Selles so far so he will only be fit enough for the bench.
Nottingham Forest v Southampton Cheat Sheet
James Ward-Prowse always stands a fantastic chance of hitting the target for the Saints despite their lowly position. The captain is a set-piece machine and is currently averaging just shy of 1 shot on target per game (0.89).
Brennan Johnson is in a similar position for the home side. Like Ward-Prowse, he is on both free-kicks and penalties, and is notching up just shy of 1 shot on target per game (0.79)
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Nottingham Forest v Southampton
Kick Off: 20:00
Competition: Premier League
Watch Live: Sky Sports Main Event
Selection: 1 of 3
Prediction: Morgan Gibbs-White to commit 1+ Foul
Odds: 1.44
Forest are the 4th highest-fouling team in the league and we can expect them to commit more than normal in what should be an edgy match. Romeo Lavia of Southampton draws 2.04 fouls per 90 on average and will be up against Gibbs-White when he presses for Forest.
Gibbs-White averages 1.00 fouls per 90 and has committed at least 1 foul in 7 of his last 9 matches. Forest will look to press up and assert their dominance early on with the crowd behind them, this desire to win the ball high up the pitch will likely see Gibbs-White commit fouls.
Selection: 2 of 3
Prediction: Adam Armstrong to commit 1+ Foul
Odds: 1.40
Saints play a 4-4-2 formation and this will likely see them look to force the Forest players to play it out wide. This will see the ball go out to Serge Aurier who draws 1.06 fouls per 90.
In defensive phases Adam Armstrong will be back marking Aurier, he averages 1.19 fouls per 90 this season. Selles likes playing Armstrong as a left midfielder where he has a lot more defensive responsibility, this is why he has committed at least one foul in 5 of his last 6 matches.
Selection: 3 of 3
Prediction: Under 5.5 Notthingham Forest Corners
Odds: 1.50
Nottingham Forest average just 3.35 corners per match, the lowest of any team in the league. They have had over 5 corners in just 2 of their last 14 matches, against Spurs and Aston Villa. Southampton allow 5.44 corners per match but this number is slightly skewed as against smaller teams they allow a lot less corners.
In their last 10 matches, only Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Newcastle have had over 5.5 corners against Southampton, teams outside the top 4 have struggled to get corners against them. When they played earlier in the season Forest had just 2 corners, while at home in this match they will still struggle to get more than 5 corners.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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