Brighton vs Nottingham Forest Preview

• Draw
• Adingra to score or assist

Brighton’s Historic Opportunity

It’s been a remarkable start to life at Brighton for new manager Fabian Hürzeler, who has the chance to make history in this clash.

The Seagulls have never gone unbeaten in their first five games of a top-flight season, but with two wins and two draws from their opening four Premier League fixtures (W2, D2), that milestone is within reach.

Brighton’s defence has been a key factor in their solid start, conceding just two goals in those four matches, and if they can maintain their defensive discipline, they could make history at the Amex.

Brighton are also in a strong position to continue their defensive dominance against Nottingham Forest, a team they’ve kept at bay in recent meetings.

The Seagulls have shut Forest out in each of their last four home head-to-head matches (W3, D1), showing their ability to stifle the East Midlands side.

However, Brighton may have a slight disadvantage in preparation, having just come off a 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over Wolves in midweek.

Forest Riding High After Shock Win at Liverpool

Nottingham Forest came into this match with plenty of confidence following their stunning 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.

Manager Nuno Espírito Santo has earned praise for guiding his side to an unbeaten start in the Premier League this season (W2, D2), making Forest one of just five teams yet to taste defeat heading into round five.

Including the tail end of last season, Forest are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches (W3, D2), marking the first time they’ve achieved such a run in the top flight since the 1995/96 season.

While Forest will be keen to extend that unbeaten streak, they’ll need to overcome a poor recent record against Brighton, having lost both home and away fixtures against them last season.

Prior to that, however, Nottingham Forest had gone undefeated in six top-flight meetings with Brighton (W6, D2).

Key Players to Watch

Simon Adingra (Brighton)

Adingra continued his fine form with a goal in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Wolves, making it four goal contributions this season (G3, A1).

The Ivorian winger’s attacking threat could prove decisive, especially against a Forest side that has shown resilience but may struggle to contain his pace and creativity.

Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest)

Gibbs-White has been instrumental for Forest this season, completing 11 key passes, which ranks him among the top five Premier League players in that category.

Additionally, he contributed a goal and an assist across last season’s head-to-head matches with Brighton, making him a player Brighton’s defence will need to watch closely.

Brighton’s Defensive Strength and Forest’s Resilience

• Brighton’s recent form: The Seagulls have conceded just two goals in their first four Premier League matches (W2, D2).
• H2H record at home: Brighton have kept clean sheets in their last four home head-to-heads against Nottingham Forest (W3, D1).
• Forest’s recent form: Unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches (W3, D2).
• Forest’s away struggles last season: Lost both home and away fixtures against Brighton last season but had been undefeated in the six top-flight meetings prior to that (W6, D2).

Conclusion

Brighton will be aiming to continue their unbeaten start under Hürzeler and potentially make club history with a fifth straight unbeaten game to begin the season.

Nottingham Forest, buoyed by their shock win at Liverpool and their solid start to the season, will be looking to extend their own unbeaten run.

This clash could be tightly contested, with Brighton’s solid defence facing off against a Forest side brimming with confidence.

Prediction: A closely fought draw, with both teams likely to create chances but neither able to dominate.

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Brighton v Nottm Forest, 2024/25 | Premier League