FA Cup Pick & Preview: Brighton vs Nottingham Forest – Saturday, March 29, 2025

This weekend, SpookyExpress.com sets its sights on the FA Cup quarter-finals, featuring some fascinating ties that are great for both watching and betting, such as Saturday’s showdown between Brighton and Nottingham Forest at the Amex Stadium. 

The long road to Wembley meets Premier League rivals Brighton and Nottingham Forest when the sides go head-to-head for the first time ever in FA Cup competition, clashing in a thrilling quarter-final tie. 

Road to the FA Quarter-Finals

Brighton booked their place in the last eight with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Newcastle United in the fifth round, while Nuno Espírito Santo’s men edged past Ipswich Town on penalties after a hard-fought (1-1 draw) contest at The City Ground a few weeks ago.

The Seagulls played a pivotal role in denying Newcastle the chance to complete an EFL Cup and FA Cup double, prevailing in a chaotic affair on March 2. The game saw Anthony Gordon’s heated altercation with Jan Paul van Hecke and Tariq Lamptey’s red card reduce both sides to 10 men. Yankuba Minteh canceled out Alexander Isak’s opener before Danny Welbeck, who had also scored the winner at St James’ Park in the league in October, struck the decisive goal in extra time.

Meanwhile, Forest triumphed in a six-goal thriller against Ipswich Town in their last outing, having already broken the Tractor Boys’ hearts in the previous round with a composed penalty shootout display. Now, they aim to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1991.

Brighton’s Momentum and Historical Quest

A semi-final place at Wembley is up for grabs as Fabian Hurzeler’s Brighton are chasing their first-ever FA Cup triumph and just their second major trophy in history, with the 1910 Charity Shield being their only silverware to date. They have a strong pedigree at this stage of the competition, winning both of their last two FA Cup quarter-finals in 2019 and 2023.

Before the international break, Brighton were in red-hot form, winning six consecutive matches before earning a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Manchester City at the Etihad. The Seagulls have scored at least twice in each of their last seven games across all competitions, a run that notably began after suffering a humbling 7-0 defeat to Saturday’s opponents.

Forest’s Struggles in Quarter-Finals

Despite their emphatic February win over Brighton, Nottingham Forest have struggled to take the next step in the FA Cup, losing each of their last three quarter-final ties. Their last semi-final appearance came in 1991 when they finished as runners-up to Tottenham Hotspur. 

Defensively, Forest have struggled on the road, conceding at least twice in each of their last five away games in all competitions. However, they will take confidence from their earlier encounters with Brighton, having also played out a fiery 2-2 draw earlier in the season before their seven-goal demolition.

Latest Team News and Possible Starting Lineups (XIs)

Brighton will be without Tariq Lamptey, who suffered a “bad” ankle injury in training. He joins the likes of Jason Steele (shoulder), Igor Julio (hamstring), Joel Veltman (foot), Ferdi Kadiolu (foot) and veteran James Milner (thigh) on the sidelines. However, Hurzeler is hopeful of welcoming back Lewis Dunk (abdominal), Matt O’Riley (knee), and Solly March (unspecified).

For Nottingham Forest Forest, Chris Wood has been ruled out after sustaining a hip injury while on international duty with New Zealand en route to his country’s World Cup qualification. Backup goalkeeper Carlos Miguel (hamstring) is also unavailable. 

Taiwo Awoniyi is set to lead the line in Wood’s anticipated absence, with Morato, Danilo, and Ibrahim Sangaré also pushing for starts for various positions on the field.

Brighton & Hove Albion: Bart Verbruggen – Jack Hinshelwood, Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke, Pervis Estupinán – Carlos Baleba, Billy Gilmour – Yankuba Minteh, Joao Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma – Danny Welbeck. (4-2-3-1) 

Nottingham Forest: Matz Sels – Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Neco Williams – Ryan Yates, Nicolas Domínguez – Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Callum Hudson-Odoi – Taiwo Awoniyi. (4-2-3-1) 

Spooky Express Betting Prediction 

With Brighton’s attacking form and Forest’s defensive frailties away from home, fans can expect an entertaining contest. While the Seagulls hold home advantage, the Tricky Trees have already won two penalty shootouts in this season’s competition and could make it a hat-trick to secure their place at Wembley.

Despite their devastating 7-0 league loss in Nottingham this winter, Brighton enter this FA Cup quarter-final as favorites at -125, while Forest sit at +340, with a draw priced at +265, both available at Everygame. Given Brighton’s strong home form and attacking consistency, backing them to avoid defeat seems a solid approach.

SpookyExpress’ recommended bet is Brighton or Draw (1X) and Over 2.5 Goals at +135 for 5/10 units. The Seagulls have netted at least twice in their last seven matches, while Nottingham Forest’s defensive struggles away from The City Ground  – conceding multiple goals in each of their last five away outings – suggest another high-scoring affair. 

With both clubs capable of finding the net, our betting pick offers solid value in what promises to be an entertaining clash.

Spooky Express Free Play: Outcome and Totals – Brighton or Draw (1X) and Over 2.5 Goals at +135 for 5/10 units at EveryGame