Nottingham Forest v Brighton Betting Tips: Seagulls can bounce back against poor hosts

These two sides have vastly different objectives this season with former European Cup winners Nottingham Forest simply looking to stay in the second tier whilst Brighton & Hove Albion are looking to secure promotion to the top flight for the first time.

Forest managed to stop their rot of three straight defeats last time out by drawing against relegation battlers Wigan Athletic. However, this only extended their win-less run to four and they now sit just four points above the drop-zone in 18th.

Defensively, the Reds are an absolute shambles and they have the second worst ‘Goals Against’ record in the division with a shocking 58 conceded in just 34 games. Their 0-0 draw against Wigan (who have the worst goal-scoring record in the league) was only their fifth clean sheet of the season.

Gary Brazil’s side are arguably only above the relegation zone because of their half-decent home form which has seen them take 27 points from 16 matches. Furthermore, they have won three of their last four at the City Ground. Whether they can do it against promotion chasers Brighton is a different issue though.

Brighton were top of the Championship for the vast majority of their recent match against fellow title hopefuls Newcastle United. However, Newcastle produced a late comeback to snatch victory from the jaws and defeat to return to the top of the league. Having said that, Brighton are still six points clear of third place and look like joining Newcastle in the Premier League next season.

Unlike Forest, the Seagulls have been immense at the back and have the best defensive record in the league with just 28 goals conceded in 34 matches and clean sheets in 50% of their league games. Of course, being in the promotion spots, they have also looked very good in the final third and have the third-best goal-scoring record in the league with 58 whilst they have also registered on the scoreboard in their last 10 matches in all competitions.

Chris Hughton’s men are some way behind Newcastle’s away points total of 38 but they still have the second best points haul with 29 in 16 games. They recently lost three on the bounce on their travels but have since recovered to go unbeaten in their last two.

That 0-0 draw against Wigan seemed to just paper over the cracks for Forest and I doubt they will be able to keep a clean sheet here, let alone take any points. Brighton should be more than capable of scoring a few goals in a comfortable victory. ‘Brighton to Win & Over 1.5 Goals’ is the bet to go for.

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