Nottingham vs Southampton prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2025-01-18 14:00.
[p]Nottingham Forest and Southampton were among the four relegation favourites prior to the start of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, yet the two clubsâ seasons could hardly have been different over the following five months. Forest went toe-to-toe with title favourites Liverpool during the week and they secured a 1-1 draw despite retaining just 29% of possession. [/p]
[p]That impressive draw may have brought an end to Forestâs six-game winning Premier League streak, but as the dreams of their long-awaited return to continental football continue to flicker, the home fans will be expecting another ruthless performance from their overachieving club. That largely owes to the fact Forest have won ten out of 11 Premier League encounters (D1) with teams starting this round in the bottom half, a period that accounts for eight of their nine clean sheets in this competition. [/p]
[p]Buoyed by their 3-0 FA Cup win over Swansea, Southampton were proactive in their 3-1 loss to Manchester United, notching up eight first-half attempts on the way to a 1-0 half-time lead. But the basement dwellers were outscored after half-time for the 13th time in their 21 Premier League matches, which doesnât bode well considering Forest have âwonâ more second halves (12) than any other club but Liverpool this term. [/p]
[p]It means the Saints have posted the worst start to a season by any Premier League side after 21 games (six points, -34 GD), and with four consecutive Premier League losses under new manager Ivan JuriÄ, there hasnât been a lot to suggest improvements are around the corner. Their last seven league fixtures saw them shut out on five occasions (D1, L6), whilst one of the two strikes during that time was a fortuitous own goal from Manchester Unitedâs Manuel Ugarte. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Morgan Gibbs-White scored in three of Forestâs last six Premier League wins, and was the only scorer in the reverse H2H. Southampton midfielder Flynn Downes collected his seventh yellow card in an 18-minute cameo off the bench at Old Trafford, and a record of two bookings from his three H2Hs suggests his ill discipline could continue here. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Nottingham kept a clean sheet in each of their last five competitive wins.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Aaron Murphy[/i][/p]