Southampton seek first Premier League point after top-flight return
Southampton FC host Nottingham Forest at St. Mary's Stadium on Saturday 24 August at 15:00 (GMT+1). The Saints, yet to pick up a single point since their return to the Premier League, are hoping to finally get off the mark on home soil — though history suggests that will be no easy feat against this particular opponent.
Southampton without a point after difficult return
Southampton's return to the Premier League got off to a painful start last week with a 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle United. The Saints began promisingly — a goal was even ruled out — but it was an errant pass from goalkeeper Alex McCarthy that ultimately proved fatal. Joelinton pounced and struck in first-half stoppage time, in the 45th minute, to score the only goal of the match. The fact that Newcastle were already down to ten men at that point made the result all the more bitter. Despite firing off no fewer than 19 shots at the Newcastle goal in the second half, an equaliser never came. It was the most attempts Southampton had managed in a Premier League match without scoring since May 2022. Manager Russell Martin saw his side drop into sixteenth place as a result. The statistics make for uncomfortable reading for the home side ahead of this fixture. Southampton have won just two of their last 22 Premier League home matches and have failed to win any of their six previous Premier League home games against Nottingham Forest. Still, the ambition is clear: to claim a first three points since returning to the top flight. Martin called on his supporters to bring the stadium to life: 'I hope the fans bring the same energy as last time. Give us everything you've got, and we'll give everything we've got.' In terms of team shape, a 3-5-2 system is again expected, with Ben Brereton Díaz and Adam Armstrong leading the line. There are concerns over absentees, however: Adam Lallana is ruled out with a muscle injury until early September, while goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu faces a spell on the sidelines until late October due to an Achilles tendon injury.
Nottingham Forest looking to build on opening-day draw
Nottingham Forest had an eventful start to the season last week. Their match against Bournemouth ended 1-1, though the game was far from straightforward. Following a lengthy stoppage for medical treatment for Danilo, Chris Wood opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. The New Zealand striker capitalised on a rebound from a shot by substitute Ryan Yates, who had come on after Danilo was forced off through injury. However, Antoine Semenyo drew level four minutes from time to make it 1-1. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo publicly expressed concern about his midfielder after the match: 'We don't yet know exactly how serious Danilo's injury is, but we know it is serious.' Forest sit eleventh as a result, level on points with tenth-placed Leicester City. The Tricky Trees travel to Southampton with recent form on their side: they have won their last two Premier League matches against promoted sides, which will give them confidence heading into this encounter with a Southampton side still searching for their first point back in the top flight. Tactically, Espírito Santo is expected to deploy a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Chris Wood once again leading the line as the central striker.
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Source: Sportmonks
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