Nottingham Forest Set for FA Cup Quarter-Final Showdown Against Brighton
Nottingham Forest are gearing up for one of their biggest matches of the season as they travel to the Amex Stadium to face Brighton & Hove Albion in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, March 29, 2025, with a 5:15 pm kickoff. The fixture is a golden opportunity for Forest to take another massive step forward in their season by securing a place at Wembley for the first time since their Championship play-off final win in 2022.
A Long-Awaited Wembley Return?
For many Forest fans, this match represents more than just another step in the FA Cup. It’s a chance to return to Wembley—a venue they haven’t played at since their famous play-off final victory over Huddersfield Town three years ago, which secured their long-awaited return to the Premier League. Since then, the club has made great strides, re-establishing themselves in the top flight and looking to take the next step forward by qualifying for European football.
The FA Cup provides a secondary route to European qualification, making this match against Brighton all the more important. Winning the tournament would guarantee Forest a place in the UEFA Europa League, meaning there is far more at stake than just a trip to Wembley.
Forest’s FA Cup Journey So Far
Forest have had to battle hard to reach this stage of the competition. In the fifth round, they edged past Ipswich Town in a dramatic penalty shootout after a hard-fought match. The hero of the night was goalkeeper Matz Sels, who pulled off crucial saves during the shootout to send the City Ground into wild celebrations.
Sels’ performance was the standout moment, but Murillo also received widespread praise for his display, demonstrating why he is considered one of the most promising young defenders in the Premier League.
The scenes after the final whistle captured just how much this FA Cup run means to Forest. Nuno Espírito Santo sprinted onto the pitch in celebration, showcasing his passion and desire to push the team towards silverware. The FA Cup may not be the club’s primary objective, with a European push in the league also on the cards, but the reaction of the players, coaching staff, and fans made it clear: this cup run is something special.
Fixture Scheduling: A Welcome Change for Forest Fans
The announcement that the match will take place on a Saturday evening has been welcomed by Forest fans. The club’s previous FA Cup fixtures have been less than ideal for traveling supporters, with the fourth-round tie away to Exeter scheduled for a Tuesday night, followed by the fifth-round match at Ipswich on a Monday.
This time, the FA have scheduled the game at a much more favorable time, allowing Forest fans to plan their trip to the South Coast with far fewer logistical challenges.
One delighted fan wrote:
“Best outcome to be fair.”
Another added:
“Pleasantly surprised this is on a Saturday,” while another supporter wrote:
“Weekend on the South Coast? No problem!”
That said, there is still one concern—if the match goes to extra time and penalties, it could affect train schedules for fans making the long journey back to Nottingham. Late-night travel could be tricky, but overall, fans are pleased with the scheduling decision. (The Sun)
Can Forest Repeat Their 7-0 Thrashing of Brighton?
When Forest fans think about this quarter-final, one game immediately comes to mind—the astonishing 7-0 victory over Brighton in February. That match was one of Forest’s most dominant performances in modern history, with Chris Wood stealing the show with a hat-trick. However, one of the key architects of that demolition was Anthony Elanga.
The Swedish winger provided three assists on the night, constantly terrorizing the Brighton defense with his blistering pace, clever movement, and precise passing.
After the match, Stuart Pearce was full of praise for Elanga, emphasizing his ability to drive forward and create chances:
“Elanga was unplayable. Every time he got the ball, Brighton just couldn’t cope. His passing, movement, and decision-making were top-class.”
Even Manchester United fans were left frustrated watching Elanga thrive at Forest, knowing that none of their current wingers have been able to match his level of creativity and end product.
In the February clash, Elanga registered:
Six passes into the final third, showing his constant attacking intent.
Five touches inside Brighton’s penalty area, demonstrating how he played higher up the pitch, linking with Chris Wood to overwhelm the defense.
If Nuno Espírito Santo can implement a similar game plan, Forest could once again expose Brighton’s weaknesses and secure a spot at Wembley.
Brighton’s Resurgence Under Fabian Hurzeler
While Forest fans may be hoping for another 7-0 thrashing, the reality is that Brighton have vastly improved since that humiliating defeat. Their new manager, Fabian Hurzeler, has steadied the ship and transformed their fortunes.
After enduring an eight-match winless streak, including that heavy loss to Forest, Brighton have bounced back impressively, winning five consecutive matches to climb back into 8th place in the Premier League.
Brighton’s captain, Lewis Dunk, recently poked fun at his own fans at a darts event, holding up a sign questioning whether Hurzeler is the right man—before acknowledging how quickly opinions change in football. (TalkSPORT)
This resurgence means that Forest will face a much tougher Brighton side than the one they demolished in February. Hurzeler has improved the team’s defensive structure and attacking fluidity, making them a much more difficult opponent.
What’s at Stake?
For both clubs, this FA Cup quarter-final represents a massive opportunity.
For Forest, a victory would see them return to Wembley for the first time since 2022 and put them within touching distance of an FA Cup final.
For Brighton, a win would continue their remarkable turnaround under Hurzeler and put them one step closer to silverware and European football for a second consecutive season.
Nuno Espírito Santo will be hoping that his key players—Elanga, Wood, Murillo, and Sels—can step up once again and guide Forest to victory. The team has shown resilience and quality throughout this cup run, and another strong performance could see them take a huge step forward.
Prediction: A Tight, Hard-Fought Battle
With Forest’s attacking power and Brighton’s resurgence, this promises to be a thrilling, high-stakes match. Forest will be eager to prove that their 7-0 thrashing was no fluke, while Brighton will be desperate for revenge.
Both teams have everything to play for, and a place in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley is on the line.
Can Forest take one step closer to glory? We’ll find out on March 29.