Nottingham Forest vs Southampton: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest are aiming to continue their exceptional form on Sunday afternoon when they host bottom of the table Southampton in the Premier League.

The Midlands side have been the surprise success story of the current campaign, perched inside the top four past the midway point of the season. Unbeaten since defeat to Manchester City in early December, Nuno Espirito Santo's high-flyers secured another impressive result midweek, earning a point from the visit of table toppers Liverpool to The City Ground.

Southampton have been as dire as Forest have been brilliant this season and are currently stranded at the foot of the table. Ten points off safety having suffered 17 defeats in 21 matches, the division's lowest scorers look destined for the drop, with new manager Ivan Juric having been unable to turn the tide.

Here is 90min's preview of Forest vs Southampton.

Nottingham Forest vs Southampton head-to-head record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Southampton on TV - UK and US

Nottingham Forest team news

Chris Wood scored his 13th of the season against Liverpool / Michael Regan/GettyImages

Key to Forest's success this season has been their ability to keep their first-teamers fit and firing, with Ibrahim Sangare the only absentee ahead of the weekend. The defensive midfielder had been joined by Danilo in the treatment room, but the Brazilian returned from a broken ankle during last weekend's FA Cup win over Luton Town.

Boss Nuno Espirito Santo is unlikely to make many changes from the midweek draw with Liverpool given his side will have five days to recover, with Chris Wood once again on the scoresheet as he delivered his 13th Premier League goal of the campaign.

Nottingham Forest predicted vs Southampton

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Southampton (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Yates, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.

Southampton team news

Tyler Dibling suffered an ankle injury against Man Utd / OLI SCARFF/GettyImages

Southampton will be sweating on the fitness of young difference-maker Tyler Dibling, who was withdrawn just after the hour mark against Manchester United midweek due to an ankle injury. He will be assessed prior to kick-off.

Gavin Bazunu is closing in on a first-team return having been injured since April but is unlikely to displace Aaron Ramsdale any time soon. Juan Larios and Ross Stewart are long-term absentees for the Saints, while defender Jack Stephens is missing due to a training ground injury.

Southampton predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest (3-4-2-1): Ramsdale; Wood, Bednarek, Harwood-Bellis; Sugawara, Downes, Aribo, Walker-Peters; Fernandes, Sulemana; Armstrong.

There are unlikely to be any surprises at The City Ground on Sunday, with Forest primed to sweep Southampton aside with relative ease. The Tricky Trees have been defensively resolute this season and clinical at the other end of the pitch, with victory against the Saints looking inevitable.

Southampton have scored just 13 times in the Premier League this season and could be without the talented Dibling for the journey north. Juric has struggled to make drastic improvements to a squad lacking in quality and they're unlikely to turn their fortunes around on Sunday.