Nottingham Forest vs. Southampton: Preview, Odds, Predictions (May 8)
Initial Thoughts
Two sides battling the drop face the ultimate make-or-break matchup in their hunt for Premier League football next season. A draw means little against another bottom three opponent, so Nottingham Forest and Southampton will have to go all out for victory at the City Ground tonight.
The Narrative
Nottingham Forest were on the verge of back-to-back wins for the first time since January - and for only the second time all season - when disaster struck against Brentford in their last Premier League outing.
1-0 up through a Danilo strike on the cusp of half time, Forest were just moments away from a win that would have lifted them out of the drop zone, only for Ivan Toney’s 82nd minute free-kick to squirm past Kylor Navas at their near post to draw the game level
A single point would still have been worth its weight in gold for Cooper’s side. But football is a cruel game, and four minutes into injury time Brentford’s Josh Dasilva stepped up to consign Forest to their fifth loss in six Premier League matches.
Currently in 18th place with four games to play, Steve Cooper will still believe survival is possible with both Leicester and Leeds on the same 30 point tally and Big Sam’s side having played one extra game.
After tonight’s fixture against bottom club Southampton, Forest face Chelsea, Arsenal and Palace, making this the ultimate must-win matchup for Copper’s side.
Southampton may have played a starring role in the title race when they drew 3-3 with Arsenal at the Emirates last month, but that solitary point is all Rubén Sellés’ side have to show for their last 540 minutes of football.
Since Sellés became the Saints’ third manager of the season back in late February, the Spaniard has overseen a single win and three draws from his 11 games in charge.
With Liverpool, Brighton and Fulham still to play, tonight’s fixture is also Southampton’s most realistic prospect of getting three points on the board in their quest for top flight survival.
Nuts and Bolts
Nottingham Forest head into the match as favorites for two main reasons. The first is that Cooper’s side ran out 1-0 winners when these sides last met back in January.
The second is that the City Ground has been a fortress this season, with Forest losing only twice in their last 13 home fixtures and both of those defeats coming against top four opposition.
The major plus sides for Southampton are that all four of the Saints wins this season have come away from home, and Forest are leaking goals at the back with Cooper's men conceding in each of the last 13 games.
Both sides have pulled spectacular results out of the bag recently, with Forest beating Brighton and the Saints holding Arsenal - which makes it hard to predict which way this tie is likely to go.
Homestand Picks
All odds courtesy of Northstar Bets
Forest have six goals in their last three fixtures while Southampton have conceded two or more goals in four of their last five outings.
Forest haven't kept a clean sheet since February and Cooper’s side will have to attack in their search for much needed Premier League points.
Nottingham Forest moneyline (+102)
Since October last year Forest have lost only twice in front of their home fans.
.jpg)
