Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs Southampton… Nuno Espirito Santo hands out two debuts in South Coast trip
Nottingham Forest got off to an unbeaten start last weekend when they picked up a point against Bournemouth.
But for Nuno Espirito Santo, there may well be a feeling that it was two points dropped by Forest after they hung on to their slender lead for so long.
It was by no means a disastrous result for the Reds but it will definitely be looked back on with regret if Forest are unable to pick up a victory against Southampton later today.
The Reds travel to the south coast on Saturday afternoon to face a newly-promoted Southampton who are in search of their first point.
The Saints lost against a 10-man Newcastle United on the weekend with Forest hoping to compile the misery on their Premier League return.
However, Nuno is going to be forced into at least one change to his starting XI following the draw at the City Ground last week.
Danilo injury forcing Ryan Yates back into the starting XI
The biggest takeaway from the game last weekend was the gutting injury to Forest midfielder Danilo who suffered a horrendous leg injury.
However, there has been some positive news to emerge with Danilo only expected to miss around two months of action with minor surgery required.
Considering the severity of the injury, this news will be welcomed by those surrounding the club.
Ryan Yates replaced Danilo early on in the game on the weekend and he was awarded with the assist for Chris Wood’s goal.
It would be expected to see Yates keep his spot in the XI now as Nuno will know exactly what he will get from the Forest captain.
Nikola Milenkovic provided with his Forest debut
One of the surprise omissions from the side on the weekend was Nikola Milenkovic with the summer singing not even included in Forest’s matchday squad.
It turns out that Milenkovic was carrying a ban from his time with Fiorentina which meant he was ineligible for the season opener against Bournemouth.
Milenkovic has impressed Matz Sels during Forest’s pre-season and it would not be a surprise to see the defender come straight into the side for Willy Boly.
Although Boly put in a solid shift, it would be imagined Nuno’s preference would be to start Milenkovic alongside Murillo this season.
Chris Wood handed another opportunity to shine as Eddie Nketiah deal nears
Forest are closing in on the signing of Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah with more reinforcement needed at the top end of the pitch.
But Chris Wood showed last weekend that he is still capable of providing Forest with the goals.
The New Zealand striker enjoyed a seriously impressive 2023/24 campaign in the Premier League and picked straight back up from where he left off in the season opener.
Playing against a newly-promoted side, Wood is going to have another chance to solidify his spot in the starting XI ahead of Nketiah’s expected arrival.
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