Nottingham Forest vs Brighton Prediction 30 November 2025

🔊 Whose unbeaten run in the Premier League is more likely to continue? Nottingham and Brighton are both enjoying a streak of three matches without a loss, yet they find themselves at opposite ends of the table. While the Seagulls have inched closer to the European competition spots, the Forest have only recently climbed out of the relegation zone. Under their new manager, they have been delivering impressive performances not just domestically, but also on the European stage. It all began with a home victory over Porto in the Europa League. The upcoming match will also take place at the City Ground. Who will come away with more points in Nottingham? We’ll make our insightful prediction in our editorial analysis.

Head-to-Head

📊 Since Nottingham Forest returned to the Premier League in the 2022/23 season, the teams have faced each other six times. They are perfectly balanced in terms of results, with two wins apiece. Notably, in 4 out of the 6 encounters, the total goals exceeded 3.5.

Nottingham Forest Team Overview

Since Sean Dyche's arrival, Nottingham have lost just once in seven matches across all competitions. Their unbeaten streak in the Premier League extends to three games, while in the Europa League, it stands at two. A particularly impressive result was their away victory over Liverpool in the 12th round of the EPL, securing a 3-0 win. The match unfolded exactly as Dyche planned. The "Forest" predictably ceded possession (26% to 74%) but their counterattacks were so effective that the "Scousers" barely outshot the visitors (21 to 15).

The clash with Malmo in the Europa League followed a completely different script. Here, the English side clearly asserted their status as favorites, dominating possession (65% to 35%) and allowing just one shot on their goal. The "Forest" themselves unleashed a barrage of 22 shots on the Swedish goalkeeper, with an xG of 2.05. Such a wealth of chances inevitably led to a rout (3-0).

Brighton & Hove Albion Team Overview

The "Seagulls," unlike the "Foresters," aren't burdened with European competitions. As a result, head coach Fabian Hurzeler has focused all efforts on climbing the Premier League standings, and it's paying off. Over the last three rounds, Brighton have secured two wins and a draw. Consequently, they've moved from 11th to 6th place, just one point shy of the European qualification zone.

In the 12th round of the Premier League, Brighton defeated Brentford at home (2-1). The hosts conceded first from a penalty but generally controlled the match (64% to 36% possession). They attacked more frequently (14 shots to 10). The lower expected goals figure (1.17 to 2.04) can be attributed to Brentford's two penalties. Notably, the visitors failed to convert the second penalty, preserving Brighton's narrow lead achieved in the second half.

Latest news

Nottingham Forest

🎙 Nottingham's recent standout, Nicolo Savona, has opened up about his new chapter in his career. This summer, the defender made the switch from Juventus to Nottingham. In his last two matches, the Italian found the back of the net against both Manchester United and Liverpool. Here's what he had to say about his time in England: "The style here is completely different from Italy, with a unique and unparalleled atmosphere. It's hard to put into words. At the start of the season, I experienced emotions that were unique and indescribable. I couldn't have imagined this. What impresses me most about the Premier League is the intensity of the matches: teams go head-to-head. There's more space and less tactical play than in Serie A. I love it. I've felt at home right away, both in the city and with the team. I'd say I've settled in very well."

❌ The absence of Dylan Bakwa, Ola Aina, Douglas Luiz, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Chris Wood in recent matches has become something of a norm. However, during the Europa League clash against Malmö, defender Murillo was unable to finish the game. Additionally, team captain Morgan Gibbs-White also missed out. Their availability for Sunday's match remains uncertain.

Brighton & Hove Albion

🎙 Brighton's standout player from last season, Carlos Baleba, has seen a dip in form recently. This was particularly evident in their last Premier League match against Brentford, where the head coach substituted him at halftime. However, Fabian Hurzeler remains confident in the midfielder's return to form: “We need to help him, it's our responsibility. We all agree that he's still young. We must give young players the chance to navigate through difficult periods; it's normal. Stay calm, keep working hard, and surround him with a positive atmosphere. That's what he has, and we continue to support him.”

❌ Brighton's injury list has shortened compared to the last Premier League round. Currently, James Milner, Solly March, Adam Webster, and Kaoru Mitoma remain sidelined. Meanwhile, the trio of Jack Hinshelwood, Bryan Gruda, and Joël Veltman got their minutes in the match against Brentford. Midfielder Hinshelwood even marked his substitute appearance with a goal.

🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards

🟨 Referee and Yellow Cards

The main referee for the match is Michael Oliver. His average of yellow cards over the last 20 Premier League matches is 3.1. However, he might have more work to do in the upcoming clash. Firstly, the last five head-to-head meetings between these teams averaged 6.2 yellow cards. Secondly, both teams are eager to extend their successful runs, with Brighton eyeing a spot in European competitions. Given these stakes, a total of over 3.5 yellow cards is highly probable.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

Matches involving both teams aren't breaking any records for excitement, but Brighton's games have been slightly more thrilling, averaging 3.3 goals compared to 2.8 over the last 10 games. Both the Seagulls and the Forest have shown a tendency to score more in the second halves. Without delving into numbers, it's worth noting that Brighton has scored after the break in 6 out of 7 matches. Nottingham, dating back to the Ange Postecoglou era, has struggled with maintaining focus for a full 90 minutes. It's reasonable to predict that the second half will be more productive than the first.

🚩 Corner Prediction

Sean Dyche alternates between 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 formations depending on the opposition's strength. The first is more suited for positional play, while the second accommodates counter-attacking. Both formations feature fast flanks, headlined by Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye. Additionally, midfield maestro Elliot Anderson orchestrates Forest's play with his dribbling skills. These players are capable of crafting quality combinations and individual plays, often leading to set pieces near the opposition's goal. Nottingham ranks in the top four of the Premier League for average corners at home (6.67 over six matches). We believe that Nottingham will achieve over 4.5 total corners.

The odds are incredibly tight, which makes sense when you look at the league standings. Let's not forget that Nottingham have been delivering strong performances beyond England as well, suggesting the Foresters have left their crisis behind them. It's worth noting the away form of the Seagulls, who have failed to win in their last four road games. Additionally, their previous visit to the City Ground ended in a massive 7-0 defeat to Brighton, a level of dominance we don't expect from the hosts this Sunday. However, it's reasonable to believe that Nottingham Forest won't lose. Predicted scoreline: 2-1.