Relegation battling Nottingham Forest host top-four chasing Brighton & Hove Albion at the City Ground.
Victory would see Forest climb out of the relegation zone, whilst Brighton can go as high as sixth with a win depending upon results elsewhere.
Team News
Jack Colback could return for Forest after he missed their defeat at Liverpool due to concussion.
Scott McKenna is ruled out for remainder of the season after he suffered a collarbone fracture at Anfield, whilst Jonjo Shelvey is doubtful due to an internal disciplinary issue.
Dean Henderson (muscle), Omar Richards (leg), Giulian Biancone, Gustavo Scarpa (both knee), Serge Aurier (knock), Willy Boly, Cheikhou Kouyate (both hamstring), Ryan Yates (shoulder) and Chris Wood (thigh) remain absent.
Brighton could rest Danny Welbeck after he suffered a knock during their FA Cup exit on penalties to Manchester United, during which he was substituted in the 75th minute.
Evan Ferguson (ankle) is doubtful after he failed to prove his fitness in time to face Man Utd.
Tariq Lamptey, Jakub Moder (both knee), Jeremy Sarmiento (foot) and Adam Lallana (hamstring) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Nottingham Forest host Brighton in a 7:30pm BST kick-off at City Ground on Wednesday 26 April, live on BT Sport 4 in UK.
Stat Attack
- Forest drew 0-0 in their first ever Premier League meeting against Brighton in October 2022.
- Brighton are visiting Forest for the first time in the Premier League, but are unbeaten in six of their last seven league visits (W2, D4, L1).
- If this meeting finishes level, this would be the first time that Forest and Brighton drew both meetings in a single season since drawing 0-0 at Brighton then 2-2 at Forest in 2012-13 season.
- Forest are looking to avoid suffering a fifth consecutive league defeat for the second time this season, having previously endured a five-match losing streak between August – October 2022
- Brighton have conceded first in each of their last two league matches away from home (W1, L1), with both games finishing in a 2-1 result.
Prediction
Although their trip to Liverpool was always bound to end in defeat, Forest did admirably well to take the fight to Jurgen Klopp’s Reds with a positive attacking display and clinical goals.
Steve Cooper’s men though need to reset defensively because although they defended well for large parts of the game, their marking of their three conceded goals was poor especially given that two of those goals had come mere minutes after they had equalised in a game where they couldn’t drop points.
Brighton meanwhile delivered an excelleent all-round performance against Man Utd but instead of letting that tough penalty shootout defeat deflate them, this is a chance to jump back on the saddle and build on that valuable experience as they now chase a top-four finish.
Forest’s defence therefore will have to be at their best because I do expect Roberto De Zerbi’s Seagulls to come out fighting for the win, especially after their Chief Executive urged them to “remain positive” which will be key to their top-four dreams.
Brighton though should be wary of Forest’s strong goal-scoring form at home but I just can’t see the Seagulls getting anything other than a win, especially if they play like they did on Sunday but with better luck in their end product.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Brighton
Result: Nottingham Forest 3-1 Brighton
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