Nottingham Forest host Southampton on Bank Holiday Monday in a game that will prove make-or-break for each club’s Premier League survival.
Forest threw away the chance to escape the relegation zone when they conceded twice late on in a 2-1 defeat to Brentford last time out.
They remain in 18th, level on points with Leeds but with an inferior goal difference, and running out of time with four games left.
Southampton are six points adrift languishing at the bottom of the table following a nine-game winless run.
Another defeat would all-but mathematically end their 11-year stay in the top-flight, with games against European hopefuls Fulham, Brighton and Liverpool still to come.
But a first Premier League victory since the start of March would at least give them a fighting chance for the run-in.
Nottingham Forest v Southampton: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Monday, May 8.
Kick-off at the City Ground is scheduled for 8pm.
talkSPORT will have live and EXCLUSIVE coverage from Nottinghamshire, with Sam Matterface presenting.
Commentary will then come from Adam Bridge and former England midfielder Danny Murphy.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
Nottingham Forest v Southampton: Team news
Forest XI: Navas, Aurier, Niakhate, Felipe, Lodi, Mangala, Danilo, Yates, Gibbs-White, Johnson, Awoniyi
Subs: Hennessy, Worrall, Lingard, Toffolo, Surridge, Kouyate, Freuler, Boly, Ayew
Southampton XI: McCarthy, Walker-Peters, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Maitland-Niles, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Armstrong, Alcaraz, Adams, Walcott
Subs: Bazunu, Lycano, Caleta-Car, A.Armstrong, Mara, Elyounoussi, Onuachu, Sulemana, Edozie
Nottingham Forest v Southampton: What has been said?
Southampton centre-back Jan Bednarek: “The game is massive.
“Hopefully, in this game, we can show more consistency and perform at our highest level for 90 minutes and get all three points.
“We’re convinced, if we can do that and maintain the intensity, if we can play with belief and courage, then we can get the three points.
“We have shown we can perform at a good level for 45 to 60 minutes in the last few games but that isn’t enough in the Premier League – so that’s the main target for us.”
Nottingham Forest v Southampton: Match facts
- Seven of Brennan Johnson’s eight Premier League goals for Nottingham Forest this season have come in home games. Since the start of last season, he’s scored 17 league goals at the City Ground (including play-offs), 10 more than any other Forest player in that time.
- Having won two of their first three Premier League games under Ruben Selles, Southampton are now winless in their last nine (D3 L6). They last went longer without a win between September and December 2018 (12 games), with 10 of those coming under Mark Hughes.
- Nottingham Forest are without a clean sheet in any of their last 13 Premier League games, since beating Leeds 1-0 in February. They’ve won just one of these 13 matches (D3 L9), though that victory was in their last home game against Brighton.
- Southampton have lost their last five Premier League games in May, since beating Fulham 3-1 in 2021. Only in April (6 between 2000-2001) have Saints lost more consecutively in a single month.
- Nottingham Forest won 3-1 against Brighton in their last Premier League home game, scoring 3+ goals for the first time in 55 top-flight matches at the City Ground (3-0 v QPR in May 1996).
- Southampton have lost their last three Premier League games played on Monday, last losing more such games consecutively between April 2000 and April 2002 (6).
- Nottingham Forest are winless in their last 12 Premier League games played on Mondays (D7 L5), since a 3-1 win at Leeds United in April 1996.
- Nottingham Forest’s only Premier League away win so far this season has come against Southampton – they’ve only done the double against a team in one of their last three top-flight campaigns (including this one), doing so against Spurs in 1996-97.
- Southampton won 3-0 on their last league visit to Nottingham Forest in the Championship in January 2012, while this is their first Premier League game at the City Ground since a 1-1 draw in December 1998.
- Nottingham Forest won the reverse fixture against Southampton 1-0 in January – only twice have they done the double over Saints as a top-flight side, doing so in 1969-70 and 1995-96.
talkSPORT BET Offer Of The Day
Bet £10 Get £30 In Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet £10+ at odds 2.00+, within 7 days of registration. No cash out. Get 3x £10 Free Bets on selected events. Bonus expires in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
