Nottingham Forest vs Southampton verdict, predicted score, key stats and suggested bets

Both sides are in the relegation zone going into the weekend, with six points separating them in 18th and 20th-place respectively.

Premier League, Monday May 8, Kick-off 8.00pm, live on Sky Sports

Nottingham Forest to win

Over 2.5 goals

One goal winning margin

Nottingham Forest have picked up 24 of their 30 Premier League points at home.

Southampton are winless in nine Premier League outings.

Nottingham Forest have lost just two of their last eight Premier League games at home.

Southampton are the second-lowest goalscoring side in the Premier League, just one goal ahead of Everton.

Nottingham Forest are winless in their last 12 Premier League games played on a Monday.

Nottingham Forest are experiencing a huge injury crisis at the worst possible moment. Giulian Biancone, Dean Henderson, Chris Wood and Scott McKenna are all out for the season.

Willy Boly is also unlikely to feature in the run-in. Danilo Oliveira and Gustavo Scarpa are being assessed, although Monday's match may come too soon.

Jack Colback, Jonjo Shelvey and Brennan Johnson all face late fitness tests and could come back into the fold.

Southampton aren't out of the woods either. Romain Perraud is out for the season, although Ebere Onuachu could return to action.

Mohammed Salisu, Valentino Livramento and Juan Larios are all being assessed.

With just four games to go until the end of the season, every Premier League point is worth its weight in gold for both Nottingham Forest and Southampton.

This Monday night, both sides will be looking to enhance their survival chances when they meet at the City Ground.

The advantage is unquestionably with Forest. Steve Cooper's men have 30 points this season, with 24 of them coming at home. In fact, Forest are mid-table when it comes to their efforts at the City Ground this campaign.

Cooper's side have lost just two of their last eight league games at home. In their last outing on home turf, Forest enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Europa League chasing Brighton.

Southampton, on the other hand, are stronger on their travels than they are at home. Ruben Selles and his men have picked up 14 of their 24 points this season on the road.

Unfortunately for the last-placed side, just two of those points have come from their last five away outings.

Looking at both home and away games, Southampton's form certainly makes for worrisome reading. The club are on a nine-match winless run and have lost five of their last six games.

A win for Saints wouldn't be enough to move them away from the bottom of the table. Nevertheless, it would offer them a late glimmer of hope.

Nottingham Forest, on the other hand, could move three points clear - depending on other results - of the relegation zone.

With Forest boasting solid home form, our recommendation is to back the hosts in the outright market. Cooper's men to win by a single goal is also an enticing option in the betting market.