James Mason’s selections for Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final clash include a win for the hosts with both teams finding the net.
There is a wide-open feel to this season’s FA Cup and that raises the possibility of a spectacular end to the season for quarter-final opponents Brighton or Nottingham Forest, who face each other at the Amex Stadium.
Forest are sitting third in the Premier League but they will have plenty of respect for their south coast hosts, who battled past Chelsea and Newcastle on their way to securing a place in the final eight.
The Seagulls’ fascinating clash with the Tricky Trees is the subject for this weekend’s football betting selections, which return at around 42/1 as a Bet Builder with Betway.
Brighton v Nottingham Forest tips
Brighton to win @ 31/40
Kaoru Mitoma anytime scorer @ 21/10
Joao Pedro over 0.5 assists @ 15/4
Both teams to score @ 4/6
Seagulls can seize the moment
Brighton succumbed 7-0 to Nottingham Forest in their Premier League contest less than two months ago but they have been outstanding ever since and can exact revenge by defeating the Tricky Trees in their FA Cup quarter-final.
Seagulls’ manager Fabian Hurzeler is a bold tactician but he got things wrong at the City Ground where he set up with five attackers and paid a heavy price.
The 32-year-old soon learned from his mistakes and his team responded by winning six games on the trot, including FA Cup triumphs at home to Chelsea (2-1) and away to Newcastle (2-1 after extra-time).
Brighton have shown full commitment to their FA Cup run, but the same cannot be said of Nottingham Forest, who have relied heavily on second string players.
Forest needed penalty shootout prowess to scrape past Exeter and Ipswich but they might not get as far as spot-kicks against Brighton, who look solid favourites to prevail on home soil.
Magical Mitoma can make his mark
Brighton have some fabulous forward players including Kaoru Mitoma, who has excelled in the second half of the season.
The Japan international has netted five goals in his last 11 appearances and could pop up with a match-winning moment this weekend.
Polished Pedro could show his class
Joao Pedro was an unused substitute for Brazil’s 4-1 loss away to Argentina in the early hours of Wednesday, but he plays an integral role for Brighton and can influence their passage to the FA Cup’s final four.
The 23-year-old is top of Brighton’s Premier League assists charts with six, and his creative skills could be key to putting Forest to the sword.
Forest can find the net
Forest’s offensive threat is reduced by the absence of injured top scorer Chris Wood, but the East Midlands outfit are unlikely to bow out quietly.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have notched on each of their last four road trips and they can find the net in what promises to be an entertaining game.