Nottingham Forest continue to defy expectations this season and can extend their eight-game unbeaten run when they welcome struggling Southampton to The City Ground.
Nuna Espirito Santo’s team won seven times before that Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with top-flight Liverpoolwith results that cemented their place among the top four. Champions League qualification remains a distinct possibility for the Midlands club, who have been extremely consistent this term.
Forest should have few problems dispatching Ivan Juric’s bottom-of-the-table Saints, who have lost all but four of their Premier League games this season. The Tricky Trees have built a solid defensive foundation that is unlikely to be breached by the division’s lowest scorers, while their clinical attacking unit is primed to punish a porous and disjointed back line.
Here’s how Sum could line up for the Sunday affair.
GK: Matz Sels – The Belgian produced a superb performance to earn Forest a point in midweek against Liverpool, producing a series of sensational stops in the finish to keep out the likes of Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo.
RB: Ola Aina – Aina was equally important at Forest, securing a hard-fought equalizer on Tuesday night, clearing the line from Salah’s powerful effort in the dying embers. The Chelsea academy graduate has been one of the best right-backs this season.
CB: Nikola Milenkovic – A transformative signing at the heart of the defence, Milenkovic has been steadfast since arriving in the Premier League last summer.
CB: Murillo – It’s easy to see why young Murillo has been a frequent fixture in the gossip columns over the past year, with the 22-year-old Brazilian producing a huge performance against the division’s most prolific team in midweek. He was the player of the match after a dedicated and stubborn display.
LB: Neco Williams – Williams coped well with former team-mate Salah on Tuesday night and made some important last-ditch interventions to deny his old employers.
DM: Ryan Yates – Danilo’s return from a long and painful injury was celebrated last weekend, but Yates was very impressive in his absence. The combative midfielder gives commanding, no-nonsense performances every week.
DM: Elliot Anderson – The summer signing was in fine form himself and caught the eye in midweek against an excellent Liverpool midfield. It provides impressive balance in the engine room, effectively shielding the back four and offering offensive support.
RW: Anthony Elanga – Elanga’s quick pace has caused many problems for defenses this season and Southampton it is unlikely that he will enjoy a fight with the Swedish national team. Assisted Chris Wood against Liverpool with a save – clearing the ball.
AM: Morgan Gibbs-White – Forest’s playmaker has scored three goals and the same number of assists since the beginning of December. You’d fancy his chances of opening up a leaky Southampton defense on a regular basis this weekend.
LW: Callum Hudson-Odoi – Hudson-Odoi hasn’t scored since early November, but his energy and trickery will cause problems for Jurić’s team.
ST: Chris Wood – The relentless New Zealand international scored his 13th goal Premier League goal of the season against Liverpool, producing a typically clinical goal for Alisson at his best.
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