Southampton vs Nottingham Forest Prediction and Betting Tips: Back goals at St Mary's
Southampton could not break down the 10 men of Newcastle in their first game since returning to the Premier League, but there were plenty of positives for the Saints to take from that 1-0 defeat at St James’ Park.
They now turn their attention to Nottingham Forest in their first home game of the campaign at St Mary’s, which kicks off at 3pm on Saturday, August 24th.
Southampton vs Nottingham Forest Predictions
Midnite Sign Up Offer
- Sign up to Midnite using this link
- Use promo code BETGETSPORTS
- Deposit a minimum of £10
- Place an accumulator with a total stake of £10 and a minimum of 4 legs, at minimum total odds of 3/1 (4.0) per bet within 14 days of sign-up.
- Get 4x £5 Free Bets
Nottingham Forest drew 1-1 with Bournemouth in their opening match of the season so are also searching for their first victory of the new campaign alongside Southampton.
The visitors have had the better of the recent head-to-head battle, winning four of the last six meetings.
However, goals have been the most common theme with five of the last six meetings between the two going over 2.5 - their last encounter in May 2023 was a thrilling 4-3 win for the Tricky Trees.
Nuno Espirit Santo’s team did finish 17th in the top-flight last term, losing 20 of their 38 league matches, and they will need to improve upon an away record that saw them suffer 11 defeats in their 19 road outings.
Southampton and Nottingham Forest are two teams expected to be battling it out at the wrong end of the table come the end of the season and the odds compilers can find little to separate the pair when they face off in this second game of the campaign.
Southampton have won 17 of their last 22 home matches in all competitions but they struggled to break down Newcastle’s defence and will need to hope that Forest are easier to bridge.
Seven of Forest's last 12 away matches featured over 3.5 goals and this could be another high-scoring affair.
The Tricky Trees like to play on the counter-attack whereas the Saints are a possession-based side, so expect the two to fall into that pattern of play throughout the game.
Southampton conceded 63 times in 46 Championship games last term and their defensive issues may be their undoing this term.
However, the visitors are hardly the most robust team defensively and they are also often vulnerable in that department, making over 2.5 goals with both teams scoring a prudent play.
Callum Hudson-Odoi has struggled throughout his career for regular game time but he has found a home with Nottingham Forest and is a key attacking asset for them.
Last season he rewarded his side with eight league goals, the second-most of any Forest player.
The tricky forward netted seven of those under manager Nuno Espirito Santo so clearly relishes his counter-attacking style of play and he showed flashes of that brilliance against Bournemouth last weekend.
Hudson-Odoi had two shots on target and could go one better with a goal against a defence that was so leaky in the second tier last season.
Read More:
Subscribe now for the latest previews, exclusive tips supported by stats, and top offers sent directly to your inbox.