Nottingham Forest vs Southampton predicted lineups: Confirmed team news + possible XIs | OneFootball

Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest show no signs of slowing down after continuing their impressive season with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Now they look to make it nine games without a defeat against relegation candidates Southampton.

Southampton thought they might be headed for a famous victory away at Manchester United on Thursday night, only to see Amad Diallo hit a late hat-trick to consign them to a 3-1 defeat.

They now face another tough game against high-flying Forest, who could go second in the table if results go their way.

Nottingham Forest vs Southampton predicted lineups

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

Southampton (3-4-3): Ramsdale, Bree, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis; Sugawara, Ugochukwu, Aribo, Walker-Peters; Mateus Fernandes; Tibling, Sulemana

Nottingham Forest vs Southampton team news

Espirito Santo’s men put in a huge shift against Liverpool. While the former Wolves and Spurs boss has been lucky to escape any new injury issues, there could be some tiredness creeping in.

Nicolas Dominguez has been terrific for Forest this season but was rested in the draw against Liverpool. Espirito Santo might opt to bring him back into the fold for either Ryan Yates, while James Ward-Prowse is also an option.

At left-back, Alex Moreno is available to potentially come in for Neco Williams at left-back after the ex-Liverpool man busted a gut with a breathless display against his old club in midweek.

Forest have no other injury concerns other than Ibrahim Sangare, who has been out for much of the season having not featured for the team since August with a hamstring tear. He will likely not be back until at least February.

Southampton’s main injuries are Ross Stewart, who is suffering with a leg injury, and Jack Stephens. Both are set to be out until the end of the month.

There is positive news on Flynn Downes, who featured for 17 minutes against United in midweek, his first minutes since suffering a hamstring injury on Boxing Day.

After four defeats in a row in the Premier League, manager Ivan Juric may opt to make a handful of changes. However, he will be lifted by the spirited performance his side put in at Old Trafford.

Wood’s hot streak

If there’s one constant that has been key to Forest’s rise this season, it’s the electric form of striker Chris Wood.

The New Zealander is always a handful on his day with his towering presence and physical displays, but this season has arguably been his most clinical and accomplished.

Wood has 13 goals in the top flight this term, making him the joint fifth-highest scorer behind Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak and Cole Palmer.

After scoring the opener in the 1-1 draw against Liverpool last time out, Wood has now scored three goals in his last three Premier League games, as well as one assist. If basement boys Southampton are to get anything from this game, shutting down the supply to Wood is going to be essential.