Seeking to return to winning ways in the Premier League, Nottingham Forest face Southampton at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side saw their six-game winning run in the top-flight come to an end when drawing 1-1 with league leaders Liverpool last time out.
However, that stalemate solidified the notion that third-placed Forest are the real deal in the race for Champions League qualification.
Back at their West Bridgford base this weekend, the Tricky Trees will look to get back on track when Southampton come to town.
The Saints will consider themselves unlucky to have fallen to a 3-1 defeat at Manchester United on Thursday night, in a game that brought up one of my recommended bets.
While Ivan Juric’s side will have taken plenty of positives from their midweek display, Southampton remain a towering 10 points from safety.
How the bookies view it: Forest firm favourites
Nottingham Forest are red-hot 4/11 favourites on Parimatch to bank all three points at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon. Southampton – who have lost 17 of their opening 21 Premier League games of the season – are big underdogs at 7/1 while the draw is an unfancied 18/5.
However, if you're new to Parimatch, you can get a much bigger price of 50/1 on the home win, which you may want to take advantage of while it's available. You just need to place a £1 bet on Forest after signing up and if they win you get £50 in free bets to use within seven days. That's the best betting offer we've seen all week given the strong season Forest are having to date.
Terms and conditions: 18+ New Customers Only. Opt in, bet max £1 on Nottingham – Match Betting – 90 mins v Southampton. Get enhanced odds paid in Free Bets, which expire in 7 days after accreditation. Offer valid until 14:00 UK time on 19/01/2025. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Head to head: Saints in a slump
Southampton have come away empty-handed from each of their last three Premier League meetings with Nottingham Forest. The Saints were edged out 1-0 in August’s reverse fixture and the same scoreline on Sunday can be backed at 6/1 with Boylesports.
Players to watch: Wood on fire
Chris Wood hit his 13th Premier League goal of the season against Liverpool on Tuesday night. The New Zealand international has notched in each of his last three top-flight outings, making him an appealing prospect to strike again here at 11/10 on Boylesports.
Kamaldeen Sulemana was Southampton’s standout performer against Man United on Thursday night. The Saints speed merchant is as big as 8/1 on Boylesports to make the net bulge on Sunday afternoon.
Predicted line-ups
Nottingham Forest boss Nuno could stick with the same set of players that held Liverpool to a 1-1 draw on Tuesday night.
Southampton will once again be unable to call upon the services of injured duo Jack Stephens and Ross Stewart. Flynn Downes returned from injury on Thursday night and is pushing for a start at the City Ground on Sunday.
Nottingham Forest: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Southampton: Ramsdale; Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Bree; Sugawara, Ugochukwu, Downes, Walker-Peters; Dibling, Fernandes, Sulemana
Anything else catch the eye?
With Nottingham Forest heavy odds-on favourites, instead look for the home team to come out on top alongside Taylor Harwood-Bellis to commit a foul at 21/20 on Bet 365.
Forest have triumphed in six of their last seven Premier League matches, while Southampton have slumped to defeat in each of their last four top-flight tussles.
Round off the Bet Builder with Hardwood-Bellis to commit a minimum of one foul – the Saints centre-half has got on the wrong side of the referee in seven of his last nine Premier League appearances.
This English Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Southampton will be played on Jan 19, 2025 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Nottingham Forest vs Southampton prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
