Match Preview: Southampton vs Nottingham Forest - Expert Analysis

Despite it being just the second gameweek in the Premier League, the result of this fixture could end up being very important come May when the season ends. Both Southampton and Nottingham Forest are expected to be in and around the relegation battle so it will be important for both sides to start the season strong. With a combined one point from the opening games, the Saints and the Reds will be hoping to get a few more this weekend.

Southampton vs Nottingham Forest Standings

After losing their first game of the season, Southampton sit in 16th on zero points with a goal difference of minus one. They travelled to St. James’ Park for their opener but failed to score despite playing the majority of the game against 10 men.

It ends level on opening day ⚖️ pic.twitter.com/LVEoBtbG9w
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 17, 2024

Nottingham Forest drew their opening game in which they hosted Bournemouth at the City Ground. The Reds took the lead in the first half but failed to hold onto the lead, something that has become a bit of a habit against the Cherries. The game ended 1-1, which puts Forest into 11th in the table.

Southampton vs Nottingham Forest Head to Head

The two sides haven’t met each other much in recent history with the exception of the 2022/23 season, when both teams were in the Premier League. In that season, Forest won both games. The away fixture was a 1-0 victory for the Reds while at home they managed a 4-3 win. In the last three seasons that they have met in the league, one of the teams has completed the double on every occasion.

Nottingham Forest 4-3 Southampton (May 2023) Southampton 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Jan 2023) Nottingham Forest 0-3 Southampton (Jan 2012) Southampton 3-2 Nottingham Forest (Sept 2011) Nottingham Forest 3-1 Southampton (May 2009) Southampton 0-2 Nottingham Forest (Dec 2008)

Nottingham Forest have the better results in recent history, but Southampton won’t be a pushover at home this time around.

Southampton vs Nottingham Forest Top Scorers

As the Saints are yet to find the back of the net in the Premier League this season, they have no top goal scorers so far. Last season, Adam Armstrong scored 21 goals in the Championship however he has scored just four times in 54 Premier League appearances for Southampton so he could make way for the likes of Ben Brereton Diaz and Cameron Archer up top this season.

Picking up where he left off 👊 pic.twitter.com/xlYgxCwJ3F
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 18, 2024

Nottingham Forest actually do have a goal scorer this season in Chris Wood, who bagged the opening goal in their game at the weekend. He scored 15 times last season in what was his joint most productive top flight season.

Southampton vs Nottingham Forest Team News

Southampton have no new injury concerns following their game against Newcastle however Kamaldeen Sulemana, Ross Stewart and Adam Lallana could all remain sidelined. Goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu will definitely not feature as his achilles injury is likely to keep him out until the new year. Should Brereton Diaz feature and Southampton lose, then he will have gone 16 top flight games without being on the winning side, just one game off the record losing streak.

We're all with you, @Daniillo_5 🙏 pic.twitter.com/yLohxawIeg
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 17, 2024

Nottingham Forest will have one player certain to miss the weekend’s game in Danilo, who was stretchered off early on in their game against Bournemouth having broken his ankle. Ryan Yates is likely to replace him in midfield while Nikola Milenkovic could make his Premier League debut, having served a ban in the opening game which had carried over from last season. Eddie Nketiah may not arrive in time to feature, so Chris Wood is likely to get the nod up front.

Southampton vs Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineups

Southampton: A. McCarthy, T. Harwood-Bellis, J. Bednarek, J. Stephens, Y. Sugawara, W. Smallbone, F. Downs, K. Walker-Peters, C. Alcaraz, C. Archer, B. Brereton Diaz

Nottingham Forest: M. Sels, N. Williams, W. Boly, Murillo, O. Aina, I. Sangare, R. Yates, A. Elanga, M. Gibbs-White, C. Hudson-Odoi, C. Wood

Southampton vs Nottingham Forest Player to Watch

Cameron Archer joined Southampton from Aston Villa last week and made his debut for the club as a substitute against Newcastle. Should he be given his first start, then he could be troublesome for the Forest defence. Despite playing in one of the worst teams the Premier League has ever seen in Sheffield United last season, Archer still managed four goals. He has plenty of potential, it is just whether or not Southampton boss Russell Martin can unlock that.