Paul Merson and Chris Sutton make identical Brighton vs Nottingham Forest predictions
Nottingham Forest will be aiming to extend their unbeaten start to the new Premier League season at Brighton on Sunday (2pm).
The two teams are locked together on eight points from the opening four matches of the campaign, with Brighton in sixth place and Forest in seventh. The Reds will travel to the Amex in confident mood after pulling off a great win against Liverpool at Anfield last time out, Callum Hudson-Odoi firing Nuno’s side to a 1-0 victory.
Pundits Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have both delivered their score predictions for the match.
Speaking to Sportskeeda, Merson said: “Nottingham Forest were phenomenal against Liverpool at Anfield. But I just think this is a really tough game for them.
“Brighton would’ve been disappointed with their goalless draw against Ipswich Town last weekend. They did win 3-0 in the Carabao Cup, so that’s a bit of a boost for the Seagulls.
“I’m backing Forest to get another point here simply because of how they performed at Anfield. If they had lost that game, I’d be rooting for Brighton.
“Nuno Espirito Santo will stick to the same plan he deployed against Liverpool and it’s alright since it worked so well the other day.
“But Forest should be careful of not being one or two goals down quickly in this game because Brighton move the ball a lot quicker than Liverpool. A draw could be a really good result for Forest.”
Merson’s prediction: 1-1
Speaking to the BBC, Sutton said: “It is hard to predict a defeat for Nottingham Forest now because they were so good at Liverpool and their backline of Nikola Milenkovic, Murillo, Alex Moreno and Ola Aina were just tremendous.
“Forest also had James Ward-Prowse just sitting in front of their back four ticking things over and Ryan Yates alongside him getting on everyone's nerves with his tenacity.
“Their substitutes came on and impacted the game at Anfield as well and the whole team had such composure.
“So, while I look at Brighton and think they are capable of scoring, based on what I saw from Forest, why would I say they will lose?
“I don't think Brighton will lose at home either, so I am really sorry, but I am going to have to go for another draw.”
Sutton's prediction: 1-1