Premier League 2022-23: Nottingham Forest vs Southampton: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

With both teams lingering in the relegation zone, this match could decide their fate of playing in the Premier League next season

Nottingham Forest welcomes Southampton FC in an exciting battle of staying afloat for the upcoming Premier League 2023-24 season. The contest will be played out at the City Ground on 9 May 2023. Three points are all the fans want of both sides, as this might decide their fate of staying in the Premier League.

Nottingham Forest has spent a fortune load of money to bring around a group of players that shouldn't be in the relegation zone at least. While the hosts will be giving their all to not drop back to the Championship once again, the visitors will be seeking three points to hold their seats in the Premier League too. The last time Southampton F.C. competed in the Championship was the 2011-12 season.

With the Saints sitting in the pit of the Premier League at 20th position, and four matches to end the season with. A drop could be on the cards for sure. Let's have a look at the intriguing details for fans watching the game from all over the world through television and streaming platforms:

Kick-Off:

Tuesday, 9 May 2023 at 12:30 IST PM (8 May 2023 at 19:00 UTC ) at City Ground.

Form

Nottingham Forest (in all competitions): L-W-L-L-L

Southampton FC (in all competitions): L-L-D-L-L

Players to Watch

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)

The home crowd at the City Ground will be backing their number 10, Morgan Gibbs-White to produce the magic. Gibbs-White has been stellar for the Nottingham side after joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers at the start of the season. The midfielder has immense abilities to change the flow of the game. He has found the back of the net on four occasions while also helping his teammates to score on six such occasions. No wonder why Gibbs-White has been starting every other match in the Premier League for Forest.

James Ward-Prowse (Southampton FC)

Be it a set piece or a corner, James Ward-Prowse is the man every other Premier League side looks to avoid playing against. He will be the main star man for Southampton FC's quest to retain Premier League status, which seems very fragile at the moment. The player from Portsmouth, England will be donning the captains' band as his involvement could ignite a spark for a side losing all but hope. In 34 Premier League outings, James Ward-Prowse has netted seven times while also proving assists on two such occasions.

Match Facts

• Both Nottingham Forest and Southampton share a joint lowest Goal Difference of -32 in the PL.
• Nottingham have won only once in their last 13 PL outings.
• The last time the Saints won an away game was on 13 February 2023.

Injury & Team News

Nottingham has several key players on the injury list who will miss out on the game. The likes of Dean Henderson, Willy Boly, Neco Williams, and marksman Chris Wood could have been vital as Steve Cooper’s side now battles for survival.

While Southampton FC has an edge as almost every key player will be available on the matchday.

Head to Head

Total Matches – 11

Nottingham Forest wins – 5

Southampton FC wins – 4

Draws – 2

Predicted Lineup

Nottingham Forest

Navas (GK), Worrall, Felipe, Niakhate, Aurier, Mangala, Kouyate, Lodi, Ayew, Gibbs-White, Awoniyinio

Southampton FC (4-2-3-1)

McCarthy (GK), Lyanco, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Walker-Peters, Elyounoussi, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, S. Armstrong, Walcott, Alcaraz

Match Prediction for Nottingham Forest vs Southampton FC

The home side Nottingham Forest will have an edge in the battle for retaining PL status. As manager Steve Cooper has already hinted, the atmosphere at the City Ground for the visit of Southampton could be vital in pushing their team to get all three points. Although Southampton FC has a full squad available at their disposal, we are picking the home side to come out on top.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Southampton FC

Telecast

India – Star Sports Select 1 and Star Sports Select 2, Disney+ Hotstar.

UK – BT Sport, BT Sports App

US – NBC, USA Network.

Nigeria – SportLemon.tv.