NOTTINGHAM Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo thinks rock-bottom Saints will be “equally as challenging” as their midweek draw with Liverpool.
The Reds earned a point against league leaders Liverpool at the City Ground on Tuesday but now switch their attention to the opposite end of the table.
Saints looked like they could secure their second win of the season against Man United until a late Amad Diallo hat-trick dealt them a 17th league defeat.
A win on Sunday would further boost Forest’s Champions League credentials but Nuno insists Southampton are still a tough opponent to face.
The Portuguese former Wolves boss said: “Totally different, different team. Totally different test for us but all equally challenging and difficult.
“We can see from Thursday that we’re going to face a tough opponent, nothing changes in our approach. I think they competed very well.
"We analysed the game and they competed well. That shows and gives credit to them in the position that they are that they were able to compete.
“We’ve been analysing since Juric joined. We have information also because Ola (Aina) had a chance to work with him (at Torino). He’s passing some information.
Midfielder Danilo is returning to fitness following his ankle injury on the first day of the season against Bournemouth, which could provide a huge boost for Nuno.
Nuno added: “They are recovering now, it was a very intense game but they are okay. We can see intensity, so we expect a very tough game on Sunday.
“We played good, we competed very well and now is the moment to recover. Many of them in terms of distance and intensity was higher than we ever saw.
“The same dilemma always every game, trying to figure out the best decisions and solutions for the game. We have almost every player available so the same.”
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