FA Cup Showdown: Can Nottingham Forest Upset Brighton to Secure a Semifinal Spot?
The FA Cup quarterfinals heat up as Brighton & Hove Albion take on Nottingham Forest in a decisive showdown. With Brighton showcasing resilience in previous rounds and Forest proving their penalty prowess, this matchup is set to be a thrilling battle for a coveted semifinal spot.
The excitement of the FA Cup continues as Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest lock horns in the quarterfinals on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Both teams have had impressive cup runs, but only one can secure a spot in the final four.
Brighton have been formidable in the competition so far, eliminating strong opponents to reach this stage. Their standout victories include a hard-fought win over Chelsea in the fourth round and an away triumph against Newcastle United in the last round. The Seagulls have demonstrated their ability to rise to the occasion, making them a formidable opponent in this tie.
Nottingham Forest have had a dramatic FA Cup campaign, advancing through the previous two rounds via penalty shootouts against Exeter City and Ipswich Town. While their progress hasn’t always been smooth, their resilience under pressure has been commendable. Their confidence will be further bolstered by their historic 7-0 victory over Brighton in February—an extraordinary result that will undoubtedly be in the back of their minds.
While Brighton hold the slight advantage based on form and past meetings, Nottingham Forest’s unpredictability and recent resurgence could make this a closer contest than expected.
Key Stats to Consider
Brighton have reached the FA Cup quarterfinals more frequently than any team outside of Manchester City, Manchester United, and Chelsea since the 2017-18 season.
Nottingham Forest have a flawless penalty shootout record in the FA Cup, winning all four of their encounters from the spot.
Despite their February thrashing, Brighton have won four of the last five meetings across all competitions.
Injury setbacks continue for Brighton, with Jason Steele and Tariq Lamptey unavailable. However, they could welcome back key players such as Solly March, Matt O’Riley, and captain Lewis Dunk.
Predicted XI: Goalkeeper: B. Verbruggen Defenders: J. van Hecke, A. Webster, L. Dunk, P. Estupiñán Midfielders: C. Baleba, J. Hinshelwood, Y. Minteh Forwards: G. Rutter, K. Mitoma, J. Pedro
Forest enter the match with no new injury concerns, but they will be without Carlos Miguel due to a thigh injury.
Predicted XI: Goalkeeper: M. Sels Defenders: O. Aina, Morato, Murillo, A. Moreno Midfielders: R. Yates, I. Sangaré, C. Hudson-Odoi Forwards: M. Gibbs-White, A. Elanga, C. Wood
Brighton’s overall form and history against Forest make them the safer pick, but the Tricky Trees have proven they can cause upsets. If they replicate their clinical performance from February, they could challenge Brighton’s defensive stability.
However, Brighton’s experience in high-pressure games, combined with their attacking firepower, makes them slight favorites. Expect a tightly contested battle, but the Seagulls might have the edge to progress to the semifinals.
