Nottingham Forest vs Brighton Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Matthew O’Regan has his Nottingham Forest vs Brighton prediction preview, with the hosts chasing Champions League football and the visitors chasing Conference League football. Both sides come into this game off the back of disappointing results last weekend, with Forest losing 5-0 at fellow high-flyers Bournemouth, while Brighton were shocked 0-1 at home to Everton in a frustrating game for the Seagulls. The reverse fixture saw a 2-2 draw, so an entertaining Premier League clash could be in store once more in the Midlands. 

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton Prediction: Midlands Hat Trick For Lamptey?

England, Premier League, Saturday, February 1st ,12:30 (UK)

Nottingham Forest have been the feel good story of the Premier League season so far. The two-time European Champions were battling relegation last year but now sit third in the league as they chase the unlikeliest of Champions League qualification. While their faint title hopes look to have dwindled out, The Reds still remain in great shape for a top five finish. 

A 5-0 loss at Bournemouth thwarted a nine game unbeaten run that saw them beat Manchester United, Aston Villa and Tottenham, as well as drawing with runaway leaders Liverpool. Nuno Espirito Santos has built a team of hard-working players, with the added flair and creativity going forward and they look real value for their strong start to the season. 

Their form at the City Ground has been a key factor, taking 21 points from 11, losing just twice in front of their own fans – coming against a rampant Newcastle side and Fulham earlier in the season. 

Brighton were also seven games unbeaten before their shock loss to Everton, having drawn at West Ham and Aston Villa and at home to Brentford and Arsenal, before three away wins in a week against Norwich (0-4), Ipswich (0-2) and Manchester United (1-3) saw them regain some clarity after a handful of draws. Fabian Hurzeler’s side have become the draw masters this year, drawing ten of their 23 games – the most in the league. The Seagulls have been hampered by injuries this season, missing the most players from injury so far this campaign. They were rocked by yet another absentee against Everton, with left back Pervis Estupinan missing from the match-day squad. 

Tariq Lamptey was his replacement, starting just his fifth Premier League game of the season. The Midlands has proven a happy hunting ground for the Ghanaian this year,  scoring brilliant goals against Leicester and Aston Villa  in both 2-2 draws. The 24-year-old also scored in the 2-3 EFL Cup loss to Liverpool, showcasing his significant attacking talent. 

While Lamptey didn’t score in the defeat to Everton, he went close with an effort that whistled just wide of Jordan Pickford’s post. It is unsure whether Lamptey will start again despite a stellar performance, but if he does, he presents value in the goalscoring market considering he has 0.42 goals per 90 in the Premier League this season. 

• Nottingham Forest vs Brighton Prediction: Tariq Lamptey To Score (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 17.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 2/10 (TRACKED BET)

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton Prediction odds via bet365 as at 09:00, January 29th, 2025. Odds may now differ.

Nottingham Forest vs Brighton Injuries, Team News and Possible Lineups Prediction: Injuries mount up for Visitors

Nottingham Forest have been unlucky with injuries this season but with only Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ibrahim Sangare the only absentees, Nuno can count himself fortunate. The Portuguese manager has a tough decision on his hands on his team selection after the 5-0 drubbing against Bournemouth. 

Brighton have had torrid luck with injuries thus far this season – missing the most players through injury this campaign. Academy graduate Jack Hinshelwood returned to action on Saturday, while Pervis Estupinan may be touch and go. Evan Ferguson, Ferdi Kadioglu, Igor, James Milner and Mats Wieffer remain out. Despite a man of the match performance at Old Trafford,  Yankuba Minteh was dropped against Everton for disciplinary issues, but should be restored in the early kick off.

Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Anderson, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Jota; Wood

Brighton possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van-Hecke, Lamptey; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck

Match OPTA Stats

• Nottingham Forest are winless in their last three Premier League meetings with Brighton (D1 L2), having  been unbeaten in their previous eight top-flight matches against the Seagulls (W6 D2). 
• Brighton won this exact fixture 3-2 last season – they’ve never before won consecutive away league games  against Nottingham Forest. 
• Nottingham Forest’s eight game unbeaten run came to an end last time out at Bournemouth, conceding  more goals in that defeat (5) as they did in their previous seven Premier League games combined (4). Only  once previously this season have they lost consecutive league matches, doing so in November against  Newcastle and Arsenal.  
• Brighton’s six game unbeaten run was ended last time out at home to Everton. The Seagulls have won just  two of their last 11 Premier League games (D6 L3) and could lose consecutive matches for the first time  since ending last season with back-to-back defeats. 
• Nottingham Forest have won six of their last eight Premier League home games (D1 L1), with five of those  six victories coming by a one goal margin. This is just the second time they are kicking off at 12:30 on a  Saturday since their return to the Premier League, beating Liverpool 1-0 at the City Ground in October 2022  in their only previous game. 

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