Chris Wood has been Nottingham Forest’s main goal threat this season, he’s scored 14 goals across his 23 Premier League appearances, while averaging 1.12 shots on target per 90.

Wood is incredibly clinical, he’s overachieved his xG of 8.16 by almost 6 goals, underlining how efficient he has been in front of goal for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Wood scored from the penalty spot in the initial meeting between these sides which ended in a 2-2 draw. He should be able to find the target at least once against a Brighton side that are averaging 3.56 shots on target conceded per game in the Premier League this season.

Gibbs-White is crucial to how Nottingham Forest play, their success this season has come as a result of a counter attacking style of play with a compact defensive set up and being incredibly clinical up top.

Gibbs-White leads this charge in transition, it is often his pass which releases the dangerous wingers that Forest have on either wing as highlighted by his 32 chances created this season (1.90 per game).

He has won 25 fouls across his 19 Premier League games this campaign (1.49 per 90). This record is a result of opposition sides attempting to stop Forest in transition, where they know they are most effective.

He’ll be up against a midfield pairing of Carlos Baleba and Yasin Ayari who are averaging 3.37 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League between them this term.

Matz Sels has been unbelievable in the Nottingham Forest net this campaign, he’s a massive part of Forest’s excellent defensive record – especially at home where they’ve only conceded 10 goals across their 11 games.

Sels has been forced into making 69 saves across his 23 Premier League appearances this season (3.0 per 90), while he was forced into making 5 saves in Forest’s defeat to Bournemouth last time out.

He should be kept busy here by a Brighton side who are averaging 4.6 shots on target per game in the Premier League. They have drawn 3+ saves from the opposition goalkeeper 13 times in the league this term.

Forest have been very difficult to beat on home soil this season, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have only lost 2 of their 11 games at the City Ground this campaign, with these defeats coming against Newcastle and Fulham. By contrast, Brighton have failed to win 7 of their 12 games on the road this season, with Fabian Hurzeler’s side having a few problems in killing off games – they’ve drawn more games than any other side in the competition (10).

Nottingham Forest’s defeat to Bournemouth last time out brought an end to a 9-game unbeaten run, which saw victories over Aston Villa and Man United, as well as a draw against league leaders Liverpool.

The initial meeting between these sides ended in a 2-2 draw, and leaning towards Forest seems a sensible choice here with the double chance market.

Joao Pedro is very important for Brighton, without him in the side, Fabian Hurzeler’s team struggle for creativity. Pedro has the ability to turn a game on its head, making him invaluable to the Seagulls.

Pedro has registered 10 goal contributions across his 17 Premier League appearances this season (5 goals, 5 assists) – topping the Brighton ranks for assists and ranking second in the goalscoring department – only 1 behind Danny Welbeck. This further indicates how important he is to Brighton, who can struggle to score goals without him in the side.

Pedro has recorded goal contributions against Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Man City and Chelsea already this season, showing that he can make the difference against the better sides in the league. Brighton will need invention to break down a stubborn Nottingham Forest defence and Pedro can provide that as the most dangerous attacking player in the Brighton ranks.

Ayari has committed 26 fouls across his 20 Premier League appearances this season (1.84 per 90). He’s part of a young and talented Brighton side that can occasionally show recklessness in naivety.

Ayari will have a crucial role here against Morgan Gibbs-White, Gibbs-White is the man Forest look for to spark the transition after frustrating the opposition with their organised defensive set up. Ayari and Baleba will be tasked with stopping Gibbs-White getting joy in this area of the pitch, with Ayari the most likely to engage in a duel with the Forest man.

Ayari has committed at least 1 foul in each of his last 5 Premier League matches, a record that extends to at least 1 foul committed in 8 of his last 10 appearances in the competition.

Forest get their attacking joy on the counter attack and Elanga is a huge part of that, he’s won 24 fouls across his 23 Premier League appearances this season (1.57 per 90).

This record is largely informed by Elanga getting away from his opposite fullback when Forest are on the break, on this occasion he’ll be up against the very aggressive Pervis Estupinan, who is averaging 1.52 fouls committed per 90 across his 18 Premier League appearances this season.

Elanga was fouled in the meeting between these sides at the Amex stadium earlier this season.

Danny Welbeck’s return to fitness following a lengthy injury will be crucial to Brighton’s chances of pushing up the table in the second half of the season. The 34-year-old has scored 6 goals across his 17 Premier League appearances this campaign making him Brighton’s top scorer, despite being injured for a while.

Welbeck is averaging 0.91 shots on target per 90 across his 17 Premier League appearances this campaign, and found the back of the net from 2 shots on target in the initial meeting between the sides back in September.