ONLY the bravest of souls will bother getting their hopes up for Monday night’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

Somehow, despite Saints’ disastrous campaign and recent run of nine games without a Premier League win, they could go into the final three games only three points adrift of safety.

Of course, that would require results to fall their way and require them to actually beat Nottingham Forest, certainly no certainty based on their past experiences against relegation rivals.

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Since Ruben Selles took over Saints have suffered defeats to Leeds United, West Ham, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth - all without scoring a goal. That will have to change at the City Ground if they are to keep their Premier League status for a few more weeks at least.

In terms of team news Saints will be without Mohammed Salisu, Tino Livramento, Juan Larios, and Romain Perraud while Paul Onuachu should be available after returning to training this week.

The towering striker hasn’t started any of Saints last ten Premier League matches but they are in desperate need of inspiration so perhaps now is the time to throw Onuachu into the deep end. 

With almost constant chopping and changing, Selles’s teams have become nearly impossible to predict but we’ve given it our best shot here…

Goalkeeper

After Gavin Bazunu started the first 32 games of the Premier League season, it was quite a shock to see him finally dropped - after a mistake-riddled campaign - for Saints’ 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth.

And while his replacement, Alex McCarthy, is yet to keep a clean sheet he has likely done enough to keep his place.

Asked about the experienced shot-stopper on Friday afternoon, Selles complimented McCarthy saying:

"I think he's been going well. I think he's a player that is important for us. He showed his captaincy when Prowsey could not continue against Bournemouth and he is an important player for the dressing room but also for our way to play.”

Defence

Despite missing the defeat to Bournemouth, Armel Bella-Kotchap has seemingly cemented his place at the heart of the Saints’ defence alongside Jan Bednarek while Kyle Walker-Peters will start, likely at left-back.

The final piece of the defensive puzzle is slightly trickier following Perraud’s season-ending ankle injury.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has frequently filled in at right-back this season while Lyanco started there at Newcastle. It will likely be a direct fight between the pair but we’ve gone for Maitland-Niles thanks to his greater experience in the role.

Midfield

Romeo Lavia and James Ward-Prowse continue to be two of the first names on the Saints team sheet and that shouldn’t change against Nottingham Forest. 

From there though, things get tougher to predict. Selles has largely opted for a 4-2-2-2 formation although that has frequently turned into a 4-3-3 as well.

We’re going to call this a three-man midfield with Charly Alcaraz playing ahead of Ward-Prowse and Lavia. As one of Saints' very few real goal threats, Alcaraz simply has to play.

Attack

After coming off the bench against both Bournemouth and Newcastle following the calf injury he picked up on international duty with Scotland, Saints must take the risk and start with their only reliable striker option, Che Adams.

And it may not fill some Saints fans with joy but we’re predicting Moi Elyounoussi to join Adams in attack with one of Theo Walcott or Kamaldeen Sulemana favourites to operate the other wing.

Walcott could have a slight advantage in what is expected to be a hostile atmosphere thanks to his vast experience.

Full Predicted Team:

Daily Echo: