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The FA Cup welcomes fans back from the international break with a top-tier clash in the quarterfinal as Brighton & Hove Albion take on Nottingham Forest. These two teams met memorably in the Premier League just over a month ago where Forest routed their opponents 7-0 at home. Now down on the south coast, the Seagulls will seek revenge having not lost since that day.
The two teams are doing well in the Premier League, and both are seeking a return to European Football. Brighton competed continentally only last season, where they reached the Round of 16 in the Europa League before losing to Roma. Nottingham Forest have not competed in Europe since the 1995/96 UEFA Cup and look like they may even return to the Champions League for the first time since 1980/81.
Despite European ambitions, the FA Cup is at the forefront of both’s minds this weekend as a very realistic chance of silverware is on offer for whoever gets through.
Brighton v Nottingham Forest key information
• Date: Saturday, March 25th
• Kick-off time: 5.15pm GMT
• Venue: The Amex, Brighton
• Referee: Peter Bankes
• VAR: Andrew Madley
• TV channels: BBC One | BBC iPlayer
• Odds: BHA (4/5) - DRAW (29/10) - NFO (31/10)
Brighton team news
Coach Fabian Hurzeler probably did not want the international break to come since his side have been in great form recently. The Seagulls are unbeaten in their last seven games and now welcome the last side to have beaten them. Brighton will still be without Igor Julio, James Milner, Jason Steele and Ferdi Kadioglu who have all been suffering long-term injuries.
Lewis Dunk and Matt O’Riley are doubts and face late fitness tests. Joel Veltman has missed the last five games but could return this weekend along with Tariq Lamptey and Solly March. Joao Pedro, Pervis Estupinan and Diego Gomez are all in South American World Cup qualifying action and face long-haul flights back to the UK ahead of Saturday’s early evening kickoff, which could affect their places in the starting lineup.
Brighton predicted lineup v Nottingham Forest, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Fabian Hurzeler
Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Van Hecke, Webster, Estupinian; Baleba, Gomez; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Welbeck.
Nottingham Forest team news
Nottingham Forest went into the international break with no injuries which affected their first-team squad but do face an anxious wait on top scorer Chris Wood after his exploits for New Zealand. The striker picked up a knock in the Kiwi’s 3-0 victory over New Caledonia to secure their World Cup qualification.
Wood apparently hurt his hip and ribs after landing awkwardly when swivelling for a shot in the game and said after the game to New Zealand radio station RNZ that he hopes the pain “is nothing too major and hopefully it's just impact.”
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup v Brighton, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Nuno Espirito Santo
Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Yates; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Wood.
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
This game will be shown live in the UK on BBC One, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Viewers can watch the game on TV or stream it online if they have a valid TV licence.
Head-to-head record
Brighton have not lost in their last seven games since they lost 7-0 to Nottingham Forest at the start of February (six wins and one draw). Nottingham Forest have won four, drawn one and lost two since that win over Brighton but come into this game having beaten Manchester City and blown away Ipswich in their last two games.
When they met at the Amex earlier this season it ended 2-2. Brighton have not lost at home to Nottingham Forest in their last five meetings there, the last victory for Forest coming when both were in the Championship in 2015. Since both teams have been in the Premier League, they have met six times with both sides holding two wins over the other.
Odds for Brighton v Nottingham Forest
Brighton are the favourites for this game with Bet365 having them down at 4/5 compared to Forest at 31/10. A draw in normal time is down at 29/10.
Odds correct at time of writing.