Nottingham Forest is set to host Brighton & Hove Albion today at the City Ground, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30 PM GMT. Both teams are eager to secure valuable points as they pursue European qualification spots in the Premier League.

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Nottingham Forest recently suffered a 5-0 defeat to Bournemouth, ending their impressive nine-match unbeaten streak, which included eight victories. Despite this setback, Forest remains third in the Premier League standings, a significant improvement from their 17th-place finish last season. Their home form has been particularly strong, with five wins in their last six matches at the City Ground.

Brighton, currently ninth in the league, also saw their unbeaten run halted with a 1-0 loss to Everton. However, the Seagulls have been formidable on the road, remaining undefeated in their last six away fixtures, including three consecutive victories.

Team News

Forest's manager, Nuno Espírito Santo, has made several changes to the lineup following the heavy defeat to Bournemouth. Morato and Danilo are among the players stepping into the starting eleven, while Yates and Jota Silva have been benched. Espírito Santo emphasized the need for improvement, stating, "We must learn from our mistakes and show a better performance today."

Brighton's lineup features Kaoru Mitoma, who has been the subject of recent transfer interest, while Evan Ferguson starts on the bench. Manager Fabian Hurzeler praised Forest's individual quality and consistent performances this season, acknowledging the challenge his team faces.

Key Players to Watch

For Nottingham Forest, striker Chris Wood has been in fine form, currently ranking fourth in Premier League goals this season. His partnership with Morgan Gibbs-White, who has been instrumental in midfield, will be crucial for Forest's attacking prospects.

Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma has been a standout performer, contributing significantly to the team's attacking play. His pace and creativity on the wing could pose problems for Forest's defense.

Head-to-Head

In their previous encounters, Brighton holds a slight advantage with two wins to Forest's one, along with one draw. Given Forest's strong home form and Brighton's impressive away record, this match is poised to be a closely contested affair.

Prediction

Considering both teams' recent performances and the stakes involved, a tightly contested match is anticipated. Nottingham Forest's solid home form may give them a slight edge, but Brighton's resilience on the road cannot be underestimated. A 2-1 victory for Nottingham Forest has been predicted by some analysts.

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Sources:
THEGUARDIAN.COM
TALKSPORT.COM
THEHARDTACKLE.COM
SKYSPORTS.COM