The Premier League dishes up a pivotal relegation six-pointer on Monday night, as bottom club Southampton travel to the City Ground to take on fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest.
Sitting six points from safety with four games remaining, the Saints look destined for the drop. The south coast side have failed to win any of their last nine matches, with five defeats coming in their previous six outings.
Forest, on the other hand, could move out of the relegation zone if they claim all three points on Monday. Although the Tricky Trees have managed to win just one of their last 13 matches, they remain a force to be reckoned with on home soil.
Indeed, Steve Cooper’s side have lost only two of their previous 13 league games at the City Ground, picking up positive results against the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City along the way.
In their last encounter on Trentside, Nottingham Forest secured an impressive 3-1 victory over European chasers Brighton & Hove Albion, ending a run of 11 Premier League matches without a win in the process.
Last weekend, Cooper’s men were on course to notch back-to-back victories for the first time since January, only for Brentford to score twice late on. Brazilian youngster Danilo added to his goal against Brighton, but Forest failed to hold on.
Southampton, meanwhile, suffered a 3-1 defeat at Newcastle United last time out, meaning the basement dwellers have now lost six of their previous eight matches.
When you look at the bigger picture, the Saints have suffered 16 defeats across their last 22 Premier League outings, with 22 losses coming in their 34 league games this season. Accordingly, it is easy to understand why Ruben Selles’ side are rooted to the foot of the table.
Having won just four of their 17 league matches on the road this term, Southampton will need to be at their best to pick up a fifth away victory of the campaign at the City Ground.
Funnily enough, Nottingham Forest’s sole Premier League away win this season came against Southampton back in January, with Taiwo Awoniyi scoring the only goal of the game in the reverse fixture.
That was the first league meeting between Southampton and Forest since the 2011-12 Championship campaign, when the Saints did the double over the Tricky Trees.
It is no secret that the Nottingham Forest squad has been decimated by injuries this season, with Neco Williams, Scott McKenna, Willy Boly, Omar Richards, Chris Wood, Dean Henderson and Giulian Biancone ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
On top of that, Jack Colback, Jonjo Shelvey, Gustavo Scarpa and Danilo are all doubts for Monday’s clash, while Brennan Johnson – who has bagged eight Premier League goals this term – is also facing a late fitness test.
Southampton, on the other hand, will be without the injured trio of Romain Perraud, Mohamed Salisu and Juan Larios on Monday, while Tino Livramento remains a doubt as he continues to recover from a lengthy lay-off.
Fans in the UK can catch the action on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
Expert Insight: With both sides fighting for their Premier League lives, Monday’s showdown is destined to be a tense and cagey affair. That said, Nottingham Forest rarely taste defeat at the City Ground, so the hosts will be confident of getting the job done in front of their passionate supporters.
Premier League