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Bank Holiday Monday provides us with a massive 6-pointer at the wrong end of the table between two of the bottom three sides. Southampton are adrift from anyone else and they are in do-or-die mode right now with only victories helpful for the winless-in-nine Saints. Nottingham Forest sit just 6 points above Southampton and are also inside the relegation zone courtesy of goal difference. The hosts are as desperate to improve on a run of one win in 13 matches in their own quest for survival.
We give you our preview and prediction for this thrilling relegation 6-pointer.
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Southampton vs Nottingham: Match Preview for Monday’s Big Game
The situation can’t be more desperate for both teams. Forest try to end a 13-game run without a clean sheet that naturally also saw them win just once during that period (W1 D3 L9). The Tricky Trees rely heavily on their own fortress for positive results with Forest having collected 80% of their 30 points in their own backyard. Forest also achieved their only away win this season on their trip to Southampton in January when Awoniyi’s goal was enough to secure a 1-0 victory.
The Saints march into Nottingham on the back of a 3-1 away defeat at high-flying Newcastle and sitting 6 points adrift from safety. Southampton haven’t been able to find a win in their last 9 matches (D3 L6) and they badly need one now in order to preserve some realistic hopes of survival. Southampton’s last eight away games brought them just one win (D2 L5).
Both teams suffer from Monday Blues
Not many Nottingham Forest fans were born the last time the Tricky Trees won a Monday night Premier League game. Nottingham failed to win any of their last 12 PL matches (D7 L5) on a Monday, though, they have scored a goal in seven of the last eight.
Southampton also suffers from the ‘Monday blues’ having lost all of their last three Premier League games played on that day of the week.
Key battles that could decide the outcome of the game
We think the key to winning this match will be whichever team executes their set pieces the better. With so much at stake and not much creativity from open play at both ends, the majority of the damage could come from dead-ball situations. Southampton can rely on Ward-Prwose, he scored four of his seven PL goals this season from direct free-kicks. Forest are generally a dangerous team from set pieces with four of their last seven goals being scored that way.
The Form Guide: Nottingham vs Southampton
Nottingham Forest
Nottingham lost 1-2 on their visit to Brentford last week. The visitors fought hard and could have saved a point but it wasn’t to be. With five defeats in the last six rounds and only one win in the last 13, the Tricky Trees are now inside the relegation zone and they need points badly.
At home, the results haven’t been that bad. Also, Nottingham Forest have managed to keep clean sheets in three of their previous four home games against teams sitting below 15th place.
Form guide: LWLLL
Southampton
Southampton lost 1-3 away at Newcastle last time out and they have now earned just a single point from their last six PL matches. Winless in nine (D3 L6) and 6 points adrift from safety, the Saints look all but doomed already. They certainly need a miracle and they need it on Monday.
Southampton tend to be more compact on the road with three of their only four clean sheets this season coming in away fixtures.
Form guide: LLDLL
All the Team News for Monday’s clash between Nottingham and Southampton
Nottingham Forest
Forest enter the final stretch of the campaign with a crippled rearguard. Goalkeeper Henderson, full-back Williams and centre-back Boly are all important players missing injured. Striker Wood is also in rehabilitation, leaving Awoniyi as the only potent threat up front.
Southampton
Southampton’s health situation is not too bad. Salisu, Larios and Livramento are the only players currently unavailable. Alcaraz remains the main hope the Saints have in attack but for him to be scoring the star playmaker Ward-Prowse has to shine.
Our Prediction: Forest to end Southampton’s survival hopes with a win
- We predict a 2-0 Nottingham win with Awoniyi breaking the deadlock in the first half.
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