Southampton host Nottingham Forest at St Mary’s Stadium as both teams seek a first win of 2024-25 season.
Following an opening loss and draw respectively, Southampton and Forest will look to pick up their first win of the campaign.
Team News
Mateus Fernandes could make his debut for Southampton following his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in midweek.
Kamaldeen Sulemana (ankle), Juan Larios, Adam Lallana and Ross Stewart (all fitness) are doubts.
Gavin Bazunu (Achilles) remain absent.
Forest will be without Danilo after he suffered a serious ankle injury in their 1-1 draw against Bournemouth.
Ola Aina (ankle) and Anthony Elanga (eye) are doubts.
When is Kick-Off?
Southampton face Forest at St Mary’s on Saturday 24 August at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Southampton have won two of 12 previous Premier League meetings against Forest (W2, D3, L7).
- Forest are unbeaten in six Premier League visits to Southampton (W4, D2).
- Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi scored three goals in two previous appearances against Southampton.
- Southampton have lost one of their last seven home matches (W5, D1, L1).
- Forest have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 14 away matches in the league (W3, D3, L8).
Prediction
Russell Martin’s Saints were unlucky not to snatch a draw due to wasteful finishing in an otherwise positive display at Newcastle, but the goals should hopefully start coming soon if can tidy up their final touches.
Forest meanwhile were strong when going forward with the ability to take some risks in shooting from distance, yet they were vulnerable at times on the counter-attack which should give Southampton some hope.
If both teams can sort out their initial issues atypical of the opening week of a new season, I can see a good contest unfolding here and a draw might be a fair result.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Result: Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest
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