The FA Cup has reached the quarter-final stage and with heavyweights like Arsenal, Liverpool and reigning champions Manchester United already eliminated, both Brighton and Nottingham Forest will see this as a golden opportunity to push for silverware.
This all-Premier League clash on Saturday (5.15pm; TV: Live on BBC1) promises to be an exciting encounter. Nottingham Forest have been exceeding expectations this season, remaining in the hunt for a Champions League spot, while Brighton continue their pursuit of a European berth.
Their most recent league meeting saw Forest demolish Brighton 7-0 at the City Ground. Will the Seagulls get their revenge, or can Nuno Espírito Santo’s side pull off another impressive victory? Read on for our full FA Cup quarter-final match preview with betting tips.
BHA vs NFFC Match Odds
Despite Nottingham Forest’s superior EPL position and their emphatic 7-0 win in their last encounter, Brighton are favoured by the GB bookmakers. Most sportsbooks have the Seagulls as odds-on favourites at 4/5 for a home win. The draw is available at 29/10, while a Nottingham Forest victory is priced at 31/10. Since this is a knockout match with the potential for extra time, a separate ‘To Qualify’ market is available. Brighton are 2/5 to progress, whereas Forest are at 7/4.
The teams have met twice in the league this season: the 7-0 thrashing in February and a 2-2 draw at Brighton in September. The league table sees Nottingham Forest sitting in third place, with Brighton four spots behind, trailing by seven points. However, Brighton have been in better recent form, picking up 13 points from their last six games, second only to Liverpool in that period, while Forest have secured 10 points over the same stretch.
Key Betting Markets
First Goalscorer
A major concern for Forest is the potential absence of their star striker, Chris Wood. The New Zealand international suffered an injury while on international duty, making him a doubt for the fixture. Despite this, he’s still listed at 7/1 as an option for the first goalscorer market, though checking team news before placing a bet is advisable.
Two Brighton forwards, João Pedro and Danny Welbeck, are joint-favourites in this market at 11/2. Elsewhere, Taiwo Awoniyi (15/2) and Georginio Rutter (15/2) are also in contention, while Kaoru Mitoma (8/1) offers an intriguing option given his solid goal tally this season.
For Forest backers, Morgan Gibbs-White (13/1) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (14/1) present potential value, with both midfielders capable of providing crucial goals.
Goals & Scoreline Predictions
For those expecting a goal-fest, Both Teams to Score (BTTS) is priced at 3/4, while ‘No’ in this market is at 11/10.
For total goals, Over 2.5 Goals is available at 4/5, while pushing to Over 3.5 Goals offers better odds at 7/4. On the flip side, Under 2.5 Goals is priced at 23/20 for those expecting a tighter affair.
In the correct score market, Brighton winning 2-1 is a leading option at 15/2, while a Nottingham Forest 2-1 victory is available at 13/1. If you anticipate a closely fought draw, 1-1 is priced at 13/2.
Note: All odds are for results in 90 minutes and do not include extra time.
BHAFC vs NFFC FA Cup Match Verdict
This contest is tough to call. Brighton’s home advantage is significant but the big talking point is Chris Wood’s fitness. While Forest have multiple attacking threats, Wood’s 18 goals this season make him a vital player and the club’s Champions League aspirations might lead to a cautious approach regarding his availability.
That 7-0 victory for Forest in February was an anomaly and Brighton have responded strongly since. With both teams showing solid recent form, this could be a tight contest that extends beyond 90 minutes.
Given the attacking nature of both sides and their recent goal-heavy encounters, expect an entertaining fixture. While individual player bets like Hudson-Odoi to score present value, our preferred betting tip for this preview is Over 3.5 Goals in regular time.
Best Tips Selection
✅ Over 3.5 Goals at best odds of 7/4 with Bet365 or Betfred. As per normal bookies’ rules, this bet applies to normal time only.
Matt Harris is a football & golf writer for Just Bookies. Other sports in his portfolio of specialities include cricket. Matt has contributed to innumerable large organisations and media brands. These include: Betfair, BetVictor, USA Betting & Unibet. 