England Premier League
Wednesday 26th April 2023
Kick off at 7:30pm BST
Venue: City Ground
Match Preview:
Three points for Nottingham Forest on Wednesday would feel like winning a trophy at this stage of the season because there is a real chance that the club who have returned to play in the Premier League for the first time since 1999 could be going straight back down. But there is hope given that just one win could change everything.
Forest are in 19th place with 27 points and are just three points clear of the bottom position and coming into this week a point from safety. That could have changed by the time this game kicks off as 16th and 17th place are playing each other the day before. But Forest could be out of the bottom three this week with a win here but even if they are not they would be heading in the right direction and they need to taste victory again given that they have no wins in their last 10 games and from that have only won 3 points.
It’s been a miserable recent haul for Forest that draws in all the hallmarks of being relegated and they come into this game having lost their last 4 games and earning just one point in a draw which came against Wolves at the beginning of this month. Last weekend Forest lost their 17th game of the season but the good news is that they gave it a fight and scared Liverpool, leading in a game which they eventually lost 3-2 away from home.
Brighton are in 8th place with 49 points and they will feel that European football is on the cards for next season and they certainly have a chance but could still miss out. Form has been a mixed bag however they have still won 2 of their last three games beating Bournemouth and Chelsea and the game inbetween that the Seagulls lost to Tottenham was a controversial one in which VAR made a clear error in not giving them a penalty at 1-1. Brighton have picked up 10 points and are still having a solid season but of course last weekend there was disappointment. That disappointment was in the FA Cup as Roberto Di Zerbi’s side were knocked out at the semi-final stage against Manchester United. The game finished 0-0 after extra time and they were outdone in the end on penalties.
Brighton’s away form is slightly better by a point than at home and that just shows how consistent the club has been this season with 25 points coming on the road and with just one loss in their last five the Seagulls have impressively won 7 games and have the 4th best away record in the league.
Team News:
Nottingham Forest: Serge Aurier is nearing a return but it won’t be for this game and he remains out with a knock. Willy Boly remains sidelined with his hamstring and isn’t due back for a month. Jack Colback has a head injury and normally this isn’t an injury that is rushed back and he is a major doubt once again. Gustavo Scarpa looks set to miss out again as he recovers from a knee injury but there is hope that he could return by the end of the month. Dean Henderson is out with an ongoing thigh injury, Cheikhou Kouyate has a hamstring injury and is likely to miss out again. Ryan Yates has a shoulder injury and looks set to miss this game but could be return for the next one. Scott McKenna, Chris Wood and Omar Richards have all been ruled out for the season.
Brighton: Danny Welbeck has a knock from the FA Cup game and will be assessed, Jeremy Sarimento is out for a month with a foot injury, Evan Ferguson has an ankle injury and looks set to miss out. Adam Lallana, Tariq Lamptey and Jakub Moder all miss out and are long term absentees.
Nottm Forest vs Brighton Head to Head:
The clubs last played at the City Ground in the Championship in 2017 and Nottingham Forest won 3-0.
Earlier in the season in the reverse fixture the clubs drew 0-0.
Brighton have won 3 of the last five meetings.
Nottm Forest vs Brighton Prediction:
Nottingham Forest are the huge outsiders to win this game and one has to wonder if they are not great value? Of course we know of Brighton’s qualities this season and it would be no surprise if they came here and scored a few goals, kept a clean sheet and collected all three points. However will the Seagulls be suffering from FA Cup exit hangover having to play this game just three days after what would have been a shattering defeat?
We need to take into account how well Forest played away to Liverpool too and the feeling will be if they can take that hunger, desire and passion and transfer it to this home game then maybe they have a better chance than the bookmakers think and their price enables a very generous handicap option to be available.
Nottm Forest vs Brighton Betting Tips:
Asian handicap (+1.5 Nottingham Forest) at 1.62
Anytime goalscorer: Brennan Johnson at 4.00
The 'PLACE BET' button will take you to BetUK.com, where these selections can be found. Please gamble responsibly, 18+ BeGambleAware.org
© Copyright topfootballtipster.com 2019
