This Saturday, all eyes will be on the Amex Stadium as Brighton and Nottingham Forest go head-to-head in what promises to be an electrifying FA Cup quarter-final showdown. On one side, Brighton arrive full of confidence, riding a seven match unbeaten streak and four straight home victories. On the other, Forest are in red-hot form, boasting a dangerous attacking trio and a solid unbeaten run of their own.
Under the guidance of newly-appointed Fabian Hürzeler, Brighton have transformed their style of play, showcasing fast transitions, high pressing and an evolving attacking identity. The heavy 7–0 defeat suffered in the previous meeting with Forest now seems like a distant memory. Since then, the Seagulls have responded with authority remaining unbeaten, knocking out Newcastle away in the Cup, and scoring in every single match. The mental resilience of this squad is clearly stronger than the odds might suggest. With an average of 1.58 goals per home match and João Pedro in top form, Brighton have all the firepower they need to break down a vulnerable Forest defence.
But Nottingham Forest are not to be underestimated. The team arrive on the back of three consecutive wins and a four game unbeaten run, led by the pace and flair of Elanga, Hudson-Odoi and Gibbs-White. Away from home, Forest have averaged 1.86 goals per game, thriving on quick breaks and catching teams off guard. Their Achilles heel, however, lies at the back. Despite their strong form, Forest have conceded in three of their last four matches, often leaving too much space on the flanks a risk that Brighton will be eager to exploit in front of their fans.
Recent history between these two sides paints a picture of balance and drama: across their last five meetings, there have been two wins apiece and one draw, with an impressive average of 4.2 goals per game nearly half of those coming in the first half, suggesting another fast paced start on the cards. On home soil, Brighton hold the upper hand with five wins against Forest, four of which ended in 1–0 scorelines.
Statistically, Brighton have surpassed the 3.5 goals mark in 41% of their matches, scoring in both halves in nearly half of those. Forest, meanwhile, lean towards extremes hitting over 4.5 goals in one in every four games, and scoring in both halves 34% of the time.
With both teams playing fearless, attacking football and boasting players in top form, Brighton vs Nottingham Forest looks set to deliver fireworks. Whether it’s decided by a defensive lapse or a moment of brilliance, this FA Cup quarter-final promises drama, intensity, and goals.
