Brighton vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: Seagulls could be set for more home joy

| Friday 28th March 2025, 14:29pm

Friday 28th March 2025, 14:29pm

Brighton & Hove Albion will be hoping to avoid another humiliation against Nottingham Forest when they meet in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the Amex Stadium on Saturday (17:15, BBC One). The Seagulls were hammered 7-0 at the City Ground when they met in the Premier League on February 1. The two teams are having strong seasons in the league and are fighting for European football next term.

The Tricky Trees are firmly in the race for next year's Champions League, while the Europa League is attainable for Brighton. With a trip to Wembley Stadium at stake for the semi-finals, both sides will be desperate to come out on top in Sussex. Below you will find my Brighton vs Nottingham Forest predictions, alongside the latest team news and match odds.

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest Betting Tips

Brighton or draw and both teams to score (in 90 mins) @ 11/10
Georginio Rutter anytime goalscorer (in 90 mins) @ 9/4

Odds correct at the time of publishing

Football Odds

Team News

Brighton will be without the services of Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Igor Julio (thigh), James Milner (hamstring), Joel Veltman (knock) and Jason Steele (shoulder) due to injury.

Captain Lewis Dunk (rib) and Matt O'Riley (knee) have been out of action themselves, but it was hoped both would be able to make a comeback after the international break. Fabian Hurzeler will be desperate to have the duo back in contention for such a big game.

The Brighton boss will likely go with a back four of Pervis Estupinan, Adam Webster, Jan Paul van Hecke and Tariq Lamptey. At the top end of the pitch, the attacking quartet of Kaoru Mitoma, Georginio Rutter, Yankuba Minteh and Joao Pedro is expected to remain intact.

Estupinan and Joao Pedro were on international duty for Ecuador and Brazil respectively, so they will both need to be monitored when then they return to Brighton. Danny Welbeck will be primed to step up and lead the line in place of the latter if needed.

Jack Hinshelwood will be eager to return to midfield to partner Carlos Baleba, but he faces a tussle with Diego Gomez, Yasin Ayari and Mats Wieffer.

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest Stats

Brighton have won six of their last seven games in all competitions
Georginio Rutter has three goals in the FA Cup for the Seagulls

Carlos Miguel (hamstring), Forest's second-choice goalkeeper, is the only injury worry for the visitors. Other than that Nuno Espirito Santo has all of his squad to choose from, which may just give the Tricky Trees the edge ahead of this contest.

Forest's attackers Morgan Gibbs-White, Anthony Elanga, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Chris Wood have been most impressive this season and all four are set to start on the South Coast in this quarter-final.

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest Odds

Brighton have won their last four home games in all competitions and they are 4/5, which has an implied probability of 55.6%, to win in regulation time.

Forest's last two appearances in the FA Cup ended in a draw after 90 minutes, and the stalemate can be backed at 11/4 (26.7%). The Tricky Trees have won their past two games ahead of this contest and they are 100/30 to take the victory in normal time.

Brighton or draw and both teams to score (in 90 mins) @ 11/10

Brighton will be pumped up for this game and they will want to avenge their 7-0 thrashing from last month against Forest. The Seagulls have had issues with consistency this season but they look to be hitting their stride in the final months of the campaign.

They are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions, six of them wins, and the single draw came at Manchester City last time out. It seems as though the Forest defeat lit a spark which has seem them improve drastically in recent weeks, and revenge would be sweet for the hosts, especially at this stage of the FA Cup.

Brighton have also just lost one of their previous seven fixtures at the Amex in all competitions, so this is going to be a tough trip for high-flying Forest. The visitors will hold the psychological advantage coming into this but they have also already failed to win in this stadium in 2024/25, as they played out a 2-2 draw in the league meeting here.

I think the home advantage will give Brighton the edge but I am also not writing off Forest, who have been outstanding this season. The insurance of a draw in 90 minutes is also worth considering because the Tricky Trees have seen their last two FA Cup matches go to extra time. This was also the case for Brighton's fifth-round clash with Newcastle United.

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest - Double Chance & BTTS Brighton or Draw and Yes

11/10

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Odds correct at time of publishing.

Georginio Rutter anytime goalscorer (in 90 mins) @ 9/4

When it comes to looking at a goalscorer for this clash, Joao Pedro (BHA) and Wood (NFO) are of course the standout candidates because they are the top scorers for their respective clubs this term.

I'm going elsewhere, though, and the person who is getting my backing is Brighton's Rutter. He may not be as prolific as Joao Pedro but he has been getting plenty of joy in this competition.

The Frenchman has three goals in as many appearances in the FA Cup in 2024/25 and I think there is value to be had in him adding to his tally.

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest - Anytime Goalscorer Georginio Rutter

9/4

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Odds correct at time of publishing.

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