Nottingham Forest vs Southampton Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Nottingham Forest could have gone three points off top spot in midweek but had to settle for five at the beginning of this weekend as Nuno Espirito Santo’s high flyers now welcome bottom-of-the-table and hapless Southampton to the City Ground this weekend.

Kick-off date/time: Sunday 19th January, 2025: UK – 2:00pm / US ET – 9:00am / US PT – 6:00am

How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / US – Peacock

Nottingham Forest Team News: Nothing fresh

After the midweek, Ivory Coast international central midfielder Ibrahim Sangare is the only player to still be an injury concern for the hosts but Nuno Espirito Santo hinted at potential rotation.

The former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss has discussed the issue of squad fatigue saying that his players were 'very tired' after playing what was 'a very intense game' against Liverpool.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Yates, Dominguez; Silva, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood

Unavailable: Sangare (Injured) 

Questionable:

Southampton Team News: Dibling a doubt

After an excellent first-half performance at Old Trafford in midweek, 18-year-old attacking midfielder Tyler Dibling limped off against Manchester United and is now a doubt for this weekend's trip to the City Ground. 

Experienced centre-back and club captain Jack Stephens remains unavailable due to injury, whilst Scottish striker Ross Stewart is also sidelined as Ivan Juric seeks to find some sort of formula to get Southampton some points.

Predicted XI (3-4-1-2): Ramsdale; Bree, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek; Sugawara, Downes, Aribo, Walker-Peters; Fernandes; Archer, Armstrong

Unavailable: Stephens (Injured), Stewart (Injured)

Questionable: Dibling (Injured)

Nottingham Forest vs Southampton Prediction

Nottingham Forest took an early lead against league leaders Liverpool in midweek thanks to a strike from New Zealand international Chris Wood. Wood, Forest’s top scorer this season, had his goal cancelled out in the second-half by substitute Diogo Jota to peg the hosts back. They remain in an excellent position to achieve a top four or five finish and earn themselves an unlikely qualification for the UEFA Champions League. They now face a Southampton side that led Manchester United until the 80th minute at Old Trafford in midweek before a late Amad Diallo hat-trick. Saints’ main goal for this season appears to simply be avoiding Derby County’s record lowest points tally of 11 points in the Premier League with Ivan Juric’s men currently on six, one below the Rams after 21 matches of the campaign. Forest may not run rampant against anyone but, especially at home, they should get themselves another victory.

Nottingham Forest vs Southampton Tip: Nottingham Forest to win