The Championship: Nottingham Forest v Southampton Odds and Betting Preview

NOTTINGHAM, UK – Nottingham Forest host league leaders Southampton this afternoon in their Championship clash at the City Ground. Southampton are currently a massive twenty three points ahead of their opponents in the table, and start this game as 13/8 (bet £8 to make £13 profit) favourites with Bet Victor. The Saints have been on a poor run of form since mid-November, however, and the bookmakers are consequently billing this fixture as a close encounter, with Nottingham Forest on offer at only marginally longer odds of 19/10 with Sky Bet. Those punters expecting this game to end in a draw, on the other hand, can back the result at best odds of 23/10 with Paddy Power.

Southampton remain at the top of the Championship table, but have seen the comfortable five-point lead that they held over West Ham in mid-November reduced to a slim goal-difference advantage, having won only two of their last eight fixtures. Southampton were drubbed 3-0 away against Brighton in their last match on the 2nd January, and manager Nigel Adkins will be desperate to recover from the humiliation with an emphatic win against Forest this afternoon. If Southampton are going to get their season back on track today, however, they must do so without the help of midfield Richard Chaplow, who remains sidelined due to a knee injury. Nottingham Forest are currently floundering in the relegation zone, with a meagre 24 points from their 25 matches so far this campaign. Forest will take heart from their 3-1 victory over Ipswich at Portman Road in their last match, and will hope to reproduce the performance this afternoon.

In the over/under betting the top price on over 2.5 goals being scored is 11/10 with Bet365, whilst under 2.5 goals is on offer at evens with Bet Victor. For those punters expecting this fixture to produce a feast of goals, however, over 4.5 goals being scored can be backed at significantly longer odds of 7/1 with Bet365.

Brazilian ace Guly do Prado has been on superb form in a Southampton shirt so far this season, netting ten goals in all competitions. Unsurprisingly do Prado starts today’s game as favourite to be the first name on the score sheet, and can currently be backed at best odds of13/2 with Paddy Power. Do Prado’s team mate David Connolly is also deemed to be dangerous by the bookmakers, and is currently available to open the scoring at 7/1 with Blue Square. Forest’s most dangerous striker, on the other hand, is thought to be Marcus Tudgay, who can be backed to break the deadlock at identical odds of 7/1 with Bet365.

Southampton are quoted at best odds of 7/2 with Betinternet to win the match after leading at half time, whilst draw/Southampton is on offer at 11/2 with William Hill. Draw/Forest is available at 7/1 with Ladbrokes, whilst those punters who expect Forest to fight back and win the game after trailing at half time can back Southampton/Forest at odds as long as 33/1 with Stan James.

Kick-Off is at 15.00 GMT

Nottingham Forest v Southampton Match Odds

Nottingham Forest v Southampton Over/Under Odds

Nottingham Forest v Southampton First Goalscorer Odds

Nottingham Forest v Southampton Half-Time/Full-Time Odds