Two unbeaten Premier League outfits go head-to-head at the Amex Stadium on Sunday when Brighton host Nottingham Forest looking for a stronger result than the goalless draw they posted against promoted Ipswich on their last outing.
However, they could be frustrated by a Forest side who are still celebrating a 1-0 success at Liverpool last week, which ended a 55-year wait for an Anfield success for the East Midlands outfit.
Team news
Albion striker Joao Pedro faces a late fitness test but Solly March, James Milner, Matt O’Riley and Brajan Gruda are all set to miss out for the Seagulls.
The stats
Three of Forest’s last five matches have been draws, while the Tricky Trees have lost just one of their last seven league outings.
Brighton have won just three of their last 14 Premier League games and have scored more than once in just one of their last nine home league matches.
All four of Forest’s league games so far this season have featured fewer than three goals.
Prediction
Neither Brighton nor Forest have tasted league defeat this season after the first four rounds of matches and there looks to be a strong chance that that statistic will still be intact after they lock horns at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.
The Seagulls have enjoyed a smooth transition from life under Roberto de Zerbi to their new manager Fabian Hurzeler and they have already beaten Manchester United on their own patch.
However, they will have been disappointed at being held to a goalless draw by promoted Ipswich the last time they were in action in front of their own fans and, while a 1-1 draw at Arsenal looks good on paper, it has to be tempered by the fact that the Gunners played for the final 40 minutes with ten men after Declan Rice was sent off.
Consequently, getting past Nuno Espirito Santo’s Tricky Trees may not be a straightforward assignment, particularly as everyone at the City Ground is still buzzing after their victory at Liverpool last week.
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s strike proved crucial at Anfield and they have also performed well to grind out another 1-0 win at Southampton and home 1-1 draws against Bournemouth and Wolves.
Forest could prove a difficult nut to crack and, with Brighton having scored more than once in just one of their last nine home league matches, there is a strong chance that this game could end level.
