Southampton vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, predictions and lineups
- Nottingham Forest visit Southampton in the Premier League this weekend
- Midlands side only managed a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth in their opening match
- Southampton playing first home match back in the English top flight
Southampton host their first match back in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon when they welcome Nottingham Forest to the south coast.
It was a disappointing start to the campaign for the Saints following last season's play-off final triumph, with Russell Martin's men spurning some glorious chances in a 1-0 defeat to ten-man Newcastle United. With every point so precious in the Premier League, it will go down as a wasted opportunity.
Nottingham Forest looked on course to claim victory in their Premier League opener after Chris Wood's first-half strike. However, an 86th-minute leveller from opponents Bournemouth left them with just a point heading into matchday two.
Here is 90min's guide to Southampton vs Nottingham Forest.
What time does Southampton vs Nottingham Forest kick-off?
- Location: Southampton, England
- Stadium: St Mary's Stadium
- Date: Saturday 24 August
- Kick-off Time: 15:00 BST / 10:00 ET / 07:00 PT
- Referee: Sam Barrott
- VAR: Graham Scott
Southampton vs Nottingham Forest H2H Record (Last Five Games)
- Southampton: 2 wins
- Nottingham Forest: 3 wins
- Draws: 0
- Last meeting: Nottingham Forest 4-3 Southampton (8 May 2023) - Premier League
Current form (all competitions)
Southampton | Nottingham Forest |
|---|---|
Newcastle 1-0 Southampton - 17/08/24 | Nottingham Forest 1-1 Bournemouth - 17/08/24 |
Southampton 0-0 Getafe - 10/08/24 | Olympiacos 3-4 Nottingham Forest - 08/08/24 |
Southampton 1-1 Lazio - 07/08/24 | Nottingham Forest 2-2 Villarreal - 02/08/24 |
Millwall 0-1 Southampton - 03/08/24 | Elche 1-0 Nottingham Forest - 26/07/24 |
Oxford United 2-0 Southampton - 31/07/24 | Nottingham Forest 2-1 Millwall - 23/07/24 |
How to watch Southampton vs Nottingham Forest on TV and live stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United Kingdom | N/A |
United States | Peacock |
Canada | fuboTV Canada |
Southampton team news
Southampton have several absentees for Saturday's encounter, including goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. The Irish stopper is sidelined until 2025 with a ruptured Achilles meaning Alex McCarthy will start again after his costly mistake against Newcastle.
Juan Larios, Ross Stewart and Adam Lallana are all closing in on returns but may be unavailable this weekend, while Kamaldeen Sulemana is unlikely to make the clash with Forest due to an ankle problem.
The likes of Lesley Ugochukwu and Mateus Fernandes could make debuts after recent moves to St Mary's.
Southampton predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest
Southampton predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest (5-3-2): McCarthy; Sugawara, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Stephens, Walker-Peters; Smallbone, Downes, Aribo; Archer, Brereton Diaz.
Nottingham Forest team news
Nottingham Forest suffered three injuries against Bournemouth in their opener, with Danilo sustaining a broken ankle after an early coming together with Antoine Semenyo. The Brazilian will be sidelined until 2025.
Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga were withdrawn in the second half but both should be able to feature on Saturday despite minor fitness concerns.
After signing on loan from Aston Villa, Alex Moreno could be handed a debut at St Mary's, while Jota Silva and Nikola Milenkovic could also feature for the first time in the Premier League.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Southampton
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Southampton (4-2-3-1): Sels; Williams, Boly, Murillo, Aina; Sangare, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
Southampton vs Nottingham Forest score prediction
Southampton and Forest are unlikely to blow teams away with their goalscoring ability this season and the opening weekend suggested as much. The Saints struggled to convert their opportunities at Newcastle, while Forest's pragmatism can often limit their attacking output.
Saturday's clash should be a tight and low-scoring affair, with both teams eager for their first win of the campaign but unlikely to go all-out to secure it. This one has a draw written all over it, which may just suit Southampton given their opening defeat to Newcastle.
Prediction: Southampton 1-1 Nottingham Forest
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