Brighton vs Nottingham Forest: How to Watch, Betting Odds & Prediction

(Featured image: Alamy Images)

Written by: Tom Johnston

Nottingham Forest travel to the Amex Stadium to take on Brighton and Hove Albion this Sunday. 

Brighton won the reverse fixture earlier in the season 3-2. Forest will be hoping to push themselves away from the relegation zone. 

How to Watch Brighton vs Nottingham Forest in the UK:

The match will kick off at 2pm on Sunday, but will be unable to watch live in the UK. Highlights will be available shortly after full-time on the Sky Sports Premier League YouTube channel, and later in the evening on BBC’s Match of the Day 2.

Recent Form:

Both teams are coming off the back of defeats in the league last weekend. Brighton were comfortably beaten 3-0 away to Fulham, leaving them 9th in the table, while Forest suffered a last-gasp, controversial 1-0 defeat at home to Liverpool which puts them 17th, glancing nervously over their shoulder.

The two teams have struggled to main consistency in pursuit of their respective goals, with Brighton aiming for back-to-back European finishes, while Forest replaced their popular manager Steve Cooper with Nuno Espirito Santo as they attempt to beat the drop again. In their last five league games, Brighton have seven points while Forest have four.

Brighton also have a Europa League last 16 tie away to Roma on Thursday this week, a massive game which is sure to affect team selection for them at the weekend. It is their debut European season and they have competed well, but the Thursday-Sunday fixture grind has undoubtedly played a role in Brighton’s lengthy injury list.

Team News:

Albion boss Roberto de Zerbi confirmed star winger Kaoru Mitoma has been ruled out for the season with a back problem, joining wing partner Solly March who is recovering from a long-term knee injury. The Seagulls will also be without Joao Pedro, their top scorer in all competitions with 19 goals, as he deals with a hamstring injury, as well as James Milner (thigh), Jack Hinshelwood (foot) and Billy Gilmour who is suspended.

For the Reds, Willy Boly, Ola Aina and Nuno Tavares are all dealing with knocks, although Boly is nearing a return. Striker Chris Wood is out with a thigh injury, while midfielder Nicolas Dominguez faces a race to be fit with the same issue. The good news for Forest is that fellow midfielder Ibrahim Sangare is available for selection again after picking up a knee injury on his return from the Africa Cup of Nations.

Betting Odds:

Brighton are the favourites to win with the bookies, with Coral offering odds @ 3/4. William Hill have the draw @ 16/5, and Forest can be backed to win @ 18/5 with BetMGM.

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk has scored in their last two home games, and Forest have the worst record at defending set pieces in the league, conceding 17 from such situations. Bet365 price him @ 9/1 to score anytime.

Morgan Gibbs-White has picked up three yellow cards in his last four games, taking his tally to seven for the year. Bet365 have him @ 3/1 to get a card here.

Referee stats: 10 games, 38 yellow cards, 2 red cards. 430 booking points, avg 43 per game.

Prediction:

Brighton have struggled at times this season against low blocks, drawing 1-1 at home to Burnley, Sheffield United and Everton, and losing 1-3 to West Ham. Forest, meanwhile, have excelled as a counter-attacking unit since Nuno took over as manager, most notably in their stunning 3-1 win at St James’ Park on Boxing Day. Brighton are favourites but they are missing some key players and their European fixture could take a lot out of them, so Forest will fancy their chances.

However, that loss to West Ham’s remains Brighton’s only defeat at home in the league, so OddsNow predict the game to end in a draw. 

OddsNow's Pick: Draw with BTTS (5.64/1 @ vBet)

 

 

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