Nottingham Forest host Southampton at the City Ground in a relegation six-pointer showdon.
Victory would see Forest climb out of the relegation zone, although a draw would be enough if at least one of Leicester or Everton fail to win earlier in the day, whilst Southampton will remain rock-bottom no matter the result.
Team News
Brennan Johnson is a doubt for Forest after he suffered a knock in their defeat at Brentford last weekend.
Danilo (hamstring) is doubtful and won’t be risked unless he is declared match fit by club doctors.
Jack Colback (concussion) and Jonjo Shelvey (knock) both could also be in contention if pass fitness tests.
Dean Henderson (muscle), Neco Williams (jaw), Scott McKenna (collarbone), Omar Richards (leg), Gustavo Scarpa, Giulian Biancone (both knee), Willy Boly, (hamstring) and Chris Wood (thigh) remain absent.
Southampton could be welcome Nigerian striker, Paul Onuachu back into contention after he missed their defeat at Newcastle with a knee injury.
Romain Perraud (ankle), Mohamed Salisu (hip), Valentino Livramento (muscle) and Juan Larios (adductor) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off
Forest host Southampton in a 8pm BST kick-off at the City Ground on Bank Holiday Monday 8 May, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Forest have won three of their last five meetings against Southampton (W3, L2).
- Southampton have claimed seven points in their last five visits to Forest (W2, D1, L2).
- Both teams have scored in four of their last five Premier League meetings.
- Morgan Gibbs-White has made more touches on the ball this season than any other Forest player, having made 1,416 touches in 31 league appearances.
- Southampton have scored first in their last two away games, and are looking to score first in three consecutive away games for the first time since July 2020 (W1, D2).
Prediction
With games beginning to run out for both Forest and Southampton, this match is absolutely must-win if either team want to boost their survival hopes.
Forest could well begin this game second-bottom if Everton avoid defeat at Brighton in the teatime kick-off, but there are positives of their attacking performance in a tough defeat at Brentford last weekend into this game albeit with neater end product especially if 1-0 up to finish the game off.
Steve Cooper’s men though should of really got a point at minimum for their efforts in West London because they did play well overall, even if Ivan Toney’s brillaint equaliser was largely unavoidable unlike Josh Dasilva’s winner after he was poorly marked by Forest’s defence.
Southampton meanwhile surely must win otherwise they are as good as mathematically down given the toughness of their final three matches, but the Saints have shown some improvement in their recent travels yet were outclassed at Newcastle amidst a second-half defensive implosion.
Add in the fact that Leicester and Everton both play just hours beforehand, I can see Forest being desperate to get a result which could create frustration if Southampton can dig in deep defensively, whereas the Saints can throw the kitchen sink at it given their current position.
The home crowd could therefore be key in motivating Forest towards victory but this game does feel like a potentially tight if cagey contest.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Southampton
Result: Nottingham Forest 4-3 Southampton
Leave a Reply