Nottingham Forest vs Brighton & Hove Albion Prediction: Tricky Trees need to respond

Nottingham Forest were stunned by a 5-0 defeat at AFC Bournemouth last weekend in the Premier League, and they will seek an immediate response when they return to the City Ground to take on Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday (12:30, TNT Sports 1).

The Seagulls head to the East Midlands off the back of a home defeat to struggling Everton, and they too will look to bounce back at the first attempt here. Check out my Nottingham Forest vs Brighton & Hove Albion prediction, featuring the latest match odds and team news.

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton & Hove Albion Odds

Forest are 7/5 (which has an implied probability of 41.7%) to get back to winning ways on Saturday, and they have triumphed in four of their last five Premier League matches on home turf.

These two sides drew in the reverse fixture on the South Coast back in September, and three of Brighton's previous five trips in the top flight have ended in a stalemate, which is priced at 23/10 (30.3%).

The Seagulls are 9/5 to come away with the three points, which they have accomplished in their latest two away trips in the league.

Over 3.5 goals struck when these two teams last met, and this has been a winning bet in Forest's last two appearances in the Premier League, as well as two of Brighton's three previous away fixtures.

Football Odds

Team News

Nottingham Forest have two injuries to contend with heading into the weekend. Long-term absentee Ibrahim Sangare is still out with a hamstring problem but is believed to be getting closer to a return.

Callum Hudson-Odoi was taken off in the victory over Southampton with a groin issue and was absent in the defeat to Bournemouth last time out. “We cannot be sure that he is going to be available," said Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo after the game.

"He has pain in his adductor. It has been really stiff. The medical department tried everything they could but for today it was impossible. Let’s see for the next one.”

After a heavy 5-0 loss to the Cherries, Nuno could be tempted to make some changes to his side as they aim to bounce back at the first attempt. However, he has rarely tinkered with what has mostly been a winning formula, so we are likely to see the majority of the regulars line up against Brighton.

The one area he tends to rotate is in midfield, with captain Ryan Yates and Nicolas Dominguez often alternated to partner Elliot Anderson.

For the visitors, regular starter Pervis Estupinan missed the defeat to Everton with a muscle injury, and this has cast doubt over his involvement in the East Midlands.

Despite recently returning from a long-term knee problem, Solly March is also having trouble with a muscle, but he is not expected to be out of action for a while this time around. Jason Steele (shoulder), James Milner (hamstring), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), and Mats Wieffer (knee) are the Seagulls' other injury concerns.

Nottingham Forest or draw and both teams to score @ 13/10

I was equally as stunned by Forest's hammering at the hands of Bournemouth because their defence have been solid throughout the campaign. I saw the Cherries outclass Newcastle United the week prior, so another big performance from them wasn't the shock for me, it was the ease of the victory.

Forest's main men for the first time this season were bettered in every department, and credit must go to Andoni Iraola and his Bournemouth players in that regard. The Tricky Trees have to go back to the drawing board ahead of this weekend's meeting with Brighton, and they will feel it is imperative that they bounce back at the first time of asking.

Being back at the City Ground should help them, having won four of their last five Premier League matches here, but Brighton have looked sharp on the road in recent weeks, and they too will be looking to respond after losing 1-0 at home to strugglers Everton.

Last week's defeat did feel like an anomaly for Forest, but they face a challenge to put that behind them quickly. Their record at home has been impressive, so I think they are worth backing here. However, Brighton will pose a threat of their own, like they did when they met back in September, so I think taking the insurance of a draw is sensible for Saturday.

The odds have been boosted by both teams to score, a winning selection in the last two league matches at the City Ground.

Chris Wood anytime goalscorer @ 13/10

His scoring streak may have been ended in Dorset, but I think we will see Forest striker Chris Wood respond immediately on Saturday. The New Zealand international had netted in four consecutive league games before facing Bournemouth, and that confidence won't have been wiped overnight.

The veteran has been a revelation this term, bagging 14 in 23 outings so far, and there will be more on offer to him given how strong his team have been in the final third.

Wood was on the scoresheet when Forest played Brighton back in September, with his goal coming from the penalty spot. He will be itching to face them again so he can get back on the goal trail.

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