Brighton vs Nottingham Forest predictions: Seagulls could be frustrated by in-form cup visitors
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- Brighton have knocked out Chelsea and Newcastle in the last two rounds of the FA Cup
- Nottingham Forest thrashed the Seagulls 7-0 in February's Premier League meeting at the City Ground
- Recommended bet: Nottingham Forest draw no bet at 43/20 with LiveScore Bet
Brighton thrashed Championship hosts Norwich 4-0 in the third round of the FA Cup, but they have had to work harder for their victories in the last two rounds.
The Seagulls beat Chelsea 2-1 at the Amex Stadium in round four before a 2-1 extra-time victory over Newcastle at St James' Park.
They face another top-half Premier League team in the quarter-finals and Nottingham Forest have fond memories of their most recent meeting with Brighton, a 7-0 rout at the City Ground in February.
Team news
Brighton full-back Tariq Lamptey (ankle) has joined Ferdi Kadioglu, Igor Julio, James Milner and Jason Steele on the sidelines.
Defenders Lewis Dunk and Joel Veltman, along with midfielders Matt O'Riley and Solly March, will be assessed after their fitness issues before the international break.
Nottingham Forest top scorer Chris Wood has been ruled out after suffering a knock in New Zealand's World Cup qualifying fixture against New Caledonia.
Reserve goalkeeper Carlos Miguel is the only other confirmed injury absentee for Forest.
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The stats
Both teams have scored in 12 of Brighton's last 15 home games in all competitions, while five of the Seagulls' last 10 FA Cup home wins were by a 2-1 scoreline.
Brighton have not won any of their five matches against the Premier League's top three, and Nottingham Forest have claimed six 1-0 wins in the Premier League this season
Forest have won only one of their eight away matches against top-half teams in the league. The Tricky Trees have won three of their last five FA Cup ties on penalties.
Prediction
Brighton have bounced back impressively after losing 7-0 at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League at the start of February.
Fabian Hurzeler's men have won four of their subsequent five league fixtures, beating Chelsea 3-0, Southampton 4-0, Bournemouth 2-1 and Fulham 2-1.
Their winning streak only came to an end with a creditable 2-2 draw at Manchester City before the international break and they also knocked out Chelsea and Newcastle in the last two rounds of the FA Cup.
Despite that fine run of form, Brighton look too short to win in 90 minutes against a Forest side who are still on course for Champions League qualification.
Nuno Espirito Santo's men lost 5-0 at Bournemouth, 2-1 at Fulham and 4-3 at Newcastle in January and February but a 0-0 draw with Arsenal and a 1-0 win over champions City got them back on track.
They eased to a 4-2 win at Ipswich in their last league outing, having led 3-0 at half-time, and also beat the Tractor Boys on penalties in the FA Cup fifth round.
That was a second successive shootout win for the Tricky Trees, who were taken the distance by League One Exeter in round four.
Nuno has rested several first-team regulars during their cup run, but with a semi-final place up for grabs, he should name a strong line-up at the Amex Stadium.
Taiwo Awoniyi is a capable replacement for top scorer Chris Wood, who has been sidelined by a hip injury, and Brighton have a modest home record this term.
The Seagulls have won only six of their 14 home league games, five of them by a one-goal margin, so Forest are an appealing price in the draw-no-bet market.
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