A huge game for both Nottingham Forest and Southampton awaits at the City Ground on Monday night (8pm).
Six points separate the sides with Saints rock bottom and Forest in 18th place. Steve Cooper's side will be looking to move out of the relegation zone, currently level on points with relegation rivals Leeds United and Leicester City.
Ahead of the clash, Saints are winless in their last nine games and will be without their main defensive quartet, while striker Paul Onuachu is set to return from injury.
READ MORE: Full Nottingham Forest squad available to Steve Cooper vs Southampton as 10 could be ruled out
READ MORE: Alan Shearer makes ‘huge’ Nottingham Forest comment as ‘tough’ Leeds claim made
With that said, NottinghamshireLive takes a look at the predicted XI, boss Ruben Selles could opt for...
In goal, Gavin Bazunu was recently dropped after starting the first 32 games. While his replacement Alex McCarthy is yet to keep a clean sheet, he will likely to be handed another start.
A backline of four could consist of Armel Bella-Kotchap, Jan Bednarek, Kyle Walker-Peters and Ainsley Maitaland-Niles. In the heart of midfield, Romeo Lavia and James Ward-Prowse continue to be the pair that Selles relies on.
However, Selles could opt to play in a 4-2-2-2 formation or a 4-3-3. If that is the case, Charly Alcaraz could play ahead of Ward-Prowse and Lavia in midfield, being one of the very few real goal threats.
Leading the line in attack is likely to be Che Adams who could be joined by Moi Elyounoussi and Theo Walcott.
Predicted Southampton line-up: McCarthy, Maitland-Niles, Bednarek, Bella-Kotchap, Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Alcaraz, Walcott, Adams, El Younoussi.
Who would you like to see start vs Southampton? Tell us in the comments section...
READ NEXT:
- Pundits agree in Nottingham Forest vs Southampton prediction as 'gutless' point made
- Morgan Gibbs-White hails Nottingham Forest and makes 'goosebumps' claim
- Morgan Gibbs-White reveals angry Steve Cooper reaction that left Nottingham Forest squad stunned
- Four Southampton players to miss crucial Nottingham Forest clash as injury update given
- The latest Nottingham Forest news in one place
