Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs Southampton as Nuno makes one change involving £8m star
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Nottingham Forest will be hoping to avoid a Premier League upset on Sunday afternoon when bottom club Southampton arrive at the City Ground.
The Reds were brilliant against Liverpool on Tuesday night. Although Forest had to be defensively solid through and at times they rode their luck, a point was very much the least that was deserved.
Matz Sels was hailed for his efforts in midweek. He made several fine stops and the Belgian goalkeeper might be hoping for a quieter shift between the posts against a Southampton team with just six points all season.
Ahead of the game, we’ve taken a look at the team that Nuno Espirito Santo might pick for the game against Southampton and look at any changes he might look to make.
Nottingham Forest predicted XI to play Southampton
The Forest rearguard
Sels was get the nod to play between the posts as he looks to build on the nine clean sheets that he already has to his name for the 2024/25 campaign.
In truth, we don’t envisage any changes for this visit of Southampton. Neco Williams will start at left-back, with Ola Aina likely to start on the right once again.
The central defenders once again pick themselves, with Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic both in absolutely brilliant form during the current season.
The Forest engine room
We do envisage one change in this position today. Ryan Yates was deployed on Tuesday to combat the threat of Liverpool’s players but ballplayers might be needed today and that could lead to Nicolas Dominguez being restored.
Alongside him, Elliot Anderson pretty much picks himself. Anderson has been praised by Alan Shearer this season and he’s growing in confidence with every single game that he plays.
Leading the Forest line
Once again this is another are of the pitch that picks itself. That said, it remains to be seen whether or not, Espirito Santo decided to rest one of his side options for this clash.
Providing everyone has recovered well from Tuesday we think more of the same. Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga are both playing well so why fix what isn’t broken?
Morgan Gibbs-White should play through the middle as the number 10 with 13-goal striker Chris Wood trying to equal his goal tally for last season against a team that simply can’t stop conceding.
Also in contention
The beauty of the Forest squad at the moment is the strength in depth. In fact, the strong season to date is probably due to the fact that when players miss out, adequate replacements are being called upon.
Defensively, Carlos Miguel will provide backup for Sels, whilst Willy Boly, Morato and Alex Moreno will likely take their places on the bench.
In midfield, there might be a space for Danilo, with James Ward-Prowse likely to be on the bench as he comes up against the club where he’s spent the vast majority of his career.
Yates will naturally be on the bench if not selected, whilst Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva will provide the alternatives for the two wide players who start for Forest.
Taiwo Awoniyi is the only spare option for Wood in the attack. Evangelos Marinakis wants a new striker and it will be fascinating to see if he’s able to get one for Espirito Santo before the window closes.
