Back this 9/5 Nottingham Forest vs Southampton single

High-flying Nottingham Forest look to continue their unbeaten run against a Southampton side who already look destined for the drop.

Odds Now's Brad Walker (@brad_TWalker) previews the fixture ahead of kick-off at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon.

Odds Now's Nottingham Forest vs Southampton betting selections

Nottingham Forest's incredible form continued with a well-earned point in a 1-1 draw with league leaders Liverpool on Tuesday.

The result means Forest are now unbeaten in eight matches - a run which has left them third in the Premier League table after 21 matches played.

In many ways, the Liverpool game typified the success Nuno Espirito Santo's side have enjoyed this term.

Forest's first-half demonstrated their ability to hit teams on the counter-attack, as seen in Chris Wood's early opener, before the hosts sat in and displayed a resoluteness which ensured they avoided defeat against Liverpool's increasing attacking pressure after the break.

Goalkeeper Matz Sels was at the centre of the action in the second half, mustering several highlight-reel saves to ensure the score remained level.

They welcome a Southampton side whose struggles have been well-documented.

The visitors remain on course to record the worst points tally ever picked in Premier League history and have just a single win to their name so far.

Ivan Juric's is still hunting his first league victory since taking over from Russell Martin in the St Mary's dugout.

In fairness to the Croatian, his side were perhaps unlucky not to pickup at least a point in a 3-1 loss at Manchester United on Thursday evening.

The Saints led until the 82nd minute through a Manuel Ugarte goal, only to squander the lead through a late Amad Diallo hat-trick.

Juric is still hunting his first win as Southampton manager. (Photo credit: Alamy Images)

Nottingham Forest to win big against a dismal Saints defence

For all of their success this season, Forest aren't exactly renowned for their free-scoring efforts.

Santo's men have averaged only 1.43 goals scored so far in the league and have scored two or more goals on just two occasions at the City Ground.

In fact, Forest are actually in the bottom half of the table in terms of goals scored, but have been buoyed by a rock solid defence which has registered clean sheets in 43% of their league fixtures.

Yet, they face a Southampton side with an utterly miserable defensive record.

The visitors have averaged 2.24 goals conceded and have shipped three or more goals in an alarming 48% of league fixtures.

Given that Saints backline will be coming up against a Forest attack containing the likes of Chris Wood, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga, backing the hosts to break their usual pattern of being involved in tight encounters all of a sudden makes quite a lot of sense.

At a current best price of 9/5, backing the home side to score over 2.5 goals against one of the worst defences the league has ever seen looks an astute shout indeed.

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