Brighton vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, predictions and lineups

Nottingham Forest travel down to the south coast for their FA Cup quarter-final with Brighton on Saturday evening.

Excitement is brewing across the country for what has the makings of an enthralling conclusion to this year’s competition with only one member of the ‘Big Six’ remaining. Manchester City have spoiled the party before – in 2019 and 2023 – but their fallibility this season means we could get an unfamiliar name on the cup this year.

Brighton are one of four teams left to never lift the FA Cup, while Forest haven’t claimed this piece of silverware since 1959.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have embarked on a special campaign and are poised to claim a Champions League berth via a top-five finish in the Premier League. Back-to-back wins before the international break leaves them in a strong position, and they overcame Ipswich Town on penalties to continue their FA Cup journey.

Brighton were impressive away at City last time out, and they had to win in a tough environment to advance into the last eight. The Seagulls beat Newcastle in extra time and head into this cup tie as one of the Premier League’s form teams. They’re unbeaten since they succumbed to a 7-0 battering at the City Ground almost two months ago.

Here is Hattrickx’s guide to Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final.

What time does Brighton vs Nottingham Forest kick-off?

• Location: Falmer, England
• Stadium: Amex Stadium
• Date: Saturday 29 March
• Kick-off Time: 17:15 GMT / 12:15 ET / 09:15 PT
• Referee: Peter Bankes
• VAR: Andy Madley

• Brighton: 2 wins
• Nottingham Forest: 2 wins
• Draws: 1

• Last meeting: Nottingham Forest 7-0 Brighton (1 February 2025) – Premier League

How to watch Brighton vs Nottingham Forest on TV – UK & US

Brighton team news

Fabian Hurzeler has mitigated his first season in England with a constantly lengthy injury list, and Brighton are set to be without a whole host of players for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final.

Many of the hosts’ current absentees have been out for the long haul, but Tariq Lamptey is a relatively fresh concern after he picked up an ankle injury ahead of their draw with City. Lamptey will miss Forest’s visit, along with Igor Julio, Jason Steele, Ferdi Kadioglu and James Milner.

Lewis Dunk, Matt O’Riley, Solly March and Joel Veltman are doubts, but there’s hope the international break would’ve given this quartet ample time to recover from their respective knocks.

Brighton predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest

Brighton predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck.

Nottingham Forest team news

The visitors have been injury-free for much of 2024/25, but they suffered a big blow during the international break when Chris Wood sustained a hip injury as New Zealand booked their place at the 2026 World Cup.

Forest’s leading goalscorer isn’t expected to be out for long, but he’s already been ruled out of Saturday’s game. Taiwo Awoniyi will start up top in his place.

Wood joins Carlos Miguel on the sidelines. Morgan Gibbs-White should be fresh after failing to feature for England over the break.

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Brighton

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Brighton (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi.

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest score prediction

Brighton’s resurgence has been pretty remarkable since they were thrashed by their upcoming opponents at the start of February. Despite their long list of absentees, Hurzeler has got his Seagulls team purring, and they should’ve won at City before the break.

The international slate means a reset is required, but this Brighton side will nonetheless be determined to avenge February’s heavy defeat.

While Forest entered the break off the back of back-to-back wins, Wood’s absence is huge, and Brighton are well-placed to take full advantage. Nuno’s men aren’t quite as imperious on their travels.