Nottingham Forest vs. Brighton Preview

Nottingham Forest are still at the wrong end of the table heading into the final period of the season however their chances of survival have been greatly boosted thanks to a significant turnaround in form in recent weeks.

Three wins from their last six Npower Championship fixtures have lifted the Reds out of the relegation zone but they will now want to start kicking clear from danger and a home fixture against Brighton should offer them a reasonable opportunity to do so.

After a decent showing last season, Forest fans will still be disappointed that their side has underperformed badly as a whole this time around – and Brighton are a team who clearly represent where Forest should be at this stage of the campaign.

Gus Poyet has worked wonders with the Seagulls and against all odds they have managed to hold their form well for the majority of the season.

Sitting just one point off the play-off places in eighth, Albion can put themselves bang in contention for a promotion shoot out with a victory at the City Ground.

A recent defeat to fellow promotion chasers Blackpool did, however, expose Brighton’s shortfalls and suggested that they may just lack the required steel and edge to compete with the best teams in the league should they make the top six.

An away trip to Forest may well prove to be a slightly easier assignment for Poyet’s men who will look to experienced Spanish international Vicente to get them back to winning ways.

Forest boss Steve Cotterill will have been sad to see his side’s momentum curbed by rivals Derby County on their last outing, but confidence has started to build at home and this should be an entertaining, competitive affair.

The hosts will be fancied should they be able to pick anything up against Leeds at Elland Road in midweek and the result of that game could well set the tone for Forest’s performance here.

Brighton ironically take on Derby at home before making the trip to Nottingham and the form of both teams can be judged by their comparative showings against the Rams who are a decent mid table benchmark.

The bookmakers quite rightly tally this match up rather equally and it is easy to make a relatively strong case for either team based on what they have shown and achieved recently.

But on the basis of the league positions, Forest just appear a little too short at 13/10 to get behind, particularly if they fail come into the match on the back of a defeat at resurgent Leeds.

Brighton will be fancied to beat Derby at home and with likely momentum on their side, 21/10 is a good price for the visitors to snatch all three points.

Both bosses have excellent reputations for their motivational and tactical skills and with an attacking impetus feeding through both teams the action should be end to end with lots of goals.

Over 2.5 goals can be covered easily between the two and punters should look towards the ageing marvel Vicente to get himself on the score sheet once again.

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25/03/2012     © Frixo 2024