Brighton & Hove Albion will make a much-needed return to Amex territory on Sunday when they welcome relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest in the Premier League. This comes after a depressing three-game losing streak away from home.
The Tricky Trees suffered a late blow to the stomach in a 1-0 loss to Liverpool the previous weekend, while the Seagulls were annihilated 4-0 by Roma in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 match on Thursday.
Brighton has suffered three straight losses in all competitions for the first time since the Roberto De Zerbi era began. They lost even more badly to resurgent Roma after losing 3-0 to Fulham in the Premier League and losing the FA Cup to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Paulo Dybala, Romelu Lukaku, Gianluca Mancini, and Bryan Cristante scored the goals that will undoubtedly signal the end of Brighton’s first-ever European trip—that is, unless De Zerbi’s dysfunctional team can stage a highly unlikely second-leg comeback on March 14 a la Barcelona.
De Zerbi had not lost three straight games as a manager since his otherwise highly regarded time at Sassuolo in January 2020. The hosts, now in ninth place, are three points behind West Ham United in the final European spot after last weekend’s shocking three-goal defeat at the hands of Fulham.
Although Brighton has only scored once in their previous four games and drawn in their last three, their 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United on February 18 was not a good indication of things to come. However, the sun frequently shines on the blue and white shirts at the Amex Stadium.
As AEK Athens was the last visiting team to win on September 21, the Seagulls go into Sunday’s encounter hoping to continue their admirable 12-match unbeaten streak at home. De Zerbi’s team hasn’t lost a top-flight match at their Amex base since August.
Speaking of winning runs at home, before last weekend’s match, Liverpool had never triumphed in a Premier League game at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground. However, under dubious circumstances, Jurgen Klopp’s team broke that curse, leaving the Tricky Trees devastated and enraged.
Darwin Nunez gave the Merseyside giants all three points with a deft header into the bottom corner with 99 minutes remaining on the clock, but the drop-ball that came before Liverpool’s most recent Premier League winning goal should have gone to the hosts instead, according to the rules of the game.
Following a contentious incident in which Forest coach Steven Reid was sent off and owner Evangelos Marinakis was reported to have followed the referees down the tunnel, the FA has now charged the club with misconduct. The club has until next Wednesday to reply to the complaint.
As they attempt to end their own three-game losing streak in all competitions, Nuno Espirito Santo and his players are unconcerned with possible fines and penalties. With one game remaining, the Garibaldi are four points ahead of Luton Town in 17th place, barely above the dotted line.
Although Brighton prefers to play at home, Forest has only picked up nine points away from home this season; the only teams with fewer are Burnley (eight) and Sheffield United (five). In addition, the Reds let a one-goal lead slip in a 3-2 loss to the Seagulls back in November.
Billy Gilmour will serve the third and final game of his three-match domestic suspension this weekend after receiving a red card against Everton at the end of February. Adam Lallana or Carlos Baleba should gain from his absence.
None of De Zerbi’s two thigh victims, James Milner and Joao Pedro, who scored two goals at the City Ground four months ago, should make their comebacks here given the short turnaround from Thursday’s game. Solly March (knee), Kaoru Mitoma (back), and Jack Hinshelwood (foot) won’t be leaving the infirmary for some time.
The Brighton manager still has a number of alternatives for rotation, so he shouldn’t be afraid to make a lot of changes as Adam Webster, Pervis Estupinan, Joel Veltman, Ansu Fati, and Evan Ferguson fight for spots.
Nottingham Forest not only lost their composure in the conclusion of the match against Liverpool, but they also lost Nicolas Dominguez to a hamstring injury. Santo is crossing his fingers that the midfield player’s ailment was not more serious than tightness.
Willy Boly, who is close to making a comeback, and Ola Aina are the only players who haven’t played since the Africa Cup of Nations. Nuno Tavares (unspecified) and Chris Wood (thigh) won’t play on Sunday.
If Dominguez is not risked, Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare—who is returned from his own AFCON-related issue—will be waiting in the wings, while Taiwo Awoniyi—who replaced another former Liverpool striker in Divock Origi after 65 minutes last weekend—should be the man in the middle.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Webster, Estupinan; Baleba, Gross; Fati, Lallana, Adingra; Ferguson
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup:
Sels; Williams, Omobamidele, Murillo, Toffolo; Danilo, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi
