Brighton vs Nottingham Forest preview: Free betting tips, odds and predictions for FA Cup clash

BRIGHTON and Nottingham Forest clash in Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final showdown at the Amex Stadium.

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest preview

The FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend as eight teams battle for a coveted place at Wembley.

This year’s competition has been one of the most open in recent memory, with heavyweights such as Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester United all bowing out before the quarter-finals.

Manchester City remain the favourites to lift the trophy in May, though they are not quite the dominant force they once were.

Their potential vulnerability has left the door open for clubs starved of silverware to dream of glory – among them, Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

Brighton – who have never won the FA Cup – enter as favourites to progress to the semi-finals at Wembley.

And that is hardly surprising given their form.

The Seagulls have beaten Norwich, Chelsea, and Newcastle to reach this stage.

They have also won six of their last seven games in all competitions, scoring at least two goals in each of those encounters.

Firmly in the mix for Champions League qualification, Brighton will be hopeful of securing a third FA Cup semi-final in seven years.

But standing in their way are two-time winners Nottingham Forest.

Forest, currently five points clear of fourth place in the Premier League, are also in good form following three consecutive wins against Ipswich Town and Manchester City.

It has not exactly been smooth sailing for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side, who required penalties to get past Ipswich Town and League One Exeter in this competition.

However, they may hold a psychological edge over their opponents, having beaten Brighton 7-0 just over 50 days ago. Additionally, their previous league meeting at the Amex earlier this season ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with both managers dismissed late on.

• Brighton 4/5 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

• Draw 5/2 with Betfred – CLAIM HERE

• Nottingham Forest 16/5 with BetMGM – CLAIM HERE

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Cards

I think we're looking at a feisty encounter under the lights at the Amex Stadium on Saturday. These sides have played each other twice in the Premier League this season, and those matches have produced 13 bookings, one player sent off and both managers dismissed.

Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler was actually carded in both of those games, so clearly isn't a fan of how Nottingham Forest go about their business. With so much at stake and bad blood between these sides, we're confident of a bookings bonanza on the south coast.

• Over 65 Booking Points at 7/2 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

Score or assist

Brighton star Yankuba Minteh looks a decent enough price to score or assist this weekend at 23/20 with William Hill.

The 20-year-old has scored six and provided four assists in 28 appearances for the Seagulls this season – including one of each in his three FA Cup starts.

No Brighton player comes close to his expected assists (xA) over the last six league matches, while his xG is the fifth-highest in the squad.

He's created nine chances for his colleagues in his last 516 minutes of league action, while nobody has more touches in the opposition penalty area (49) or shots on target (9).

• Yankuba Minteh to score or assist at 23/20 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE

Unlock even more award-winning articles as Flying Eze launches brand new membership programme – Sun Club .