Nottingham Forest will attempt to improve their miserable away record when they head to Southampton on Wednesday night.
The Reds are the only Premier League side yet to win on the road this season. They have picked up just two points from eight games and have scored only one goal, against Everton back in August.
Head coach Steve Cooper knows those stats must change, if his team are to retain their top-flight status. And a trip to face the side propping up the table presents an opportunity for Forest to seize.
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After a spirited fightback earned a point against Chelsea at the City Ground on New Year’s Day, the Reds boss must decide whether to stick or twist with his starting XI. Chief among the calls he must make is whether to bring in Gustavo Scarpa for his competitive debut. Premier League rules meant the January signing was not eligible to play against the Blues, but he is available for the midweek clash.
Cooper has tended not to throw players new to English football straight in at the deep end, however Scarpa has already had valuable time to get to know his teammates, having linked up with the squad last month. The attacking midfielder was part of the winter training camp in Greece and he caught the eye in friendlies against Olympiacos and, in particular, Valencia.
Scarpa could come into the midfield three but is also capable of playing a more advanced role - something which may be useful given Jesse Lingard is facing a month out of action. The Brazilian’s assist for Emmanuel Dennis’ goal against Valencia showed what he has the potential to offer Forest going forward.
Morgan Gibbs-White, Brennan Johnson and Taiwo Awoniyi all did well in an impressive second half from the hosts on Sunday, though. And in the centre of the pitch, Orel Mangala, Remo Freuler and Ryan Yates made important contributions.
It seems unlikely too many changes will be made against the Saints. Cooper is keen to build momentum and will want his team to carry on the positives from last time out. What may come into his thinking for any potential tweaks to the line-up is a hectic run of fixtures, with a trip to Blackpool in the FA Cup to come at the weekend.
The back line limited Chelsea to very little Trentside, but Cooper has options if he does want to mix things up. Neco Williams could feel a little hard done by to have been left out of the XI in the last two games, having put in a solid performance against Blackburn Rovers. It will be difficult to shift Serge Aurier out of the team at right-back, though, while Renan Lodi also played his part in a fine second half at the weekend.
Meanwhile, Joe Worrall and Willy Boly will hope they can retain their places at centre-back. Steve Cook and Scott McKenna are waiting in the wings, should Cooper opt to make a change.
Predicted Forest XI: Henderson; Aurier, Worrall, Boly, Lodi; Mangala, Yates, Freuler; Gibbs-White; Johnson, Awoniyi.
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