Nuno Espirito Santo conceded that Nottingham Forest’s 5-0 thrashing at Bournemouth was a sharp reminder of the difficulty of finishing in the top four this season.

Forest’s eight-game unbeaten Premier League run came to an end at the Vitality Stadium with a whimper, as Dango Ouattara’s hat-trick helped guide the Cherries to victory.

In fact, Forest have now conceded three or more goals in each of their last four top-flight defeats (14 goals combined), while they also suffered their biggest loss in the competition since a 5-0 hammering away at Fulham in December 2023.

Though Nuno’s side remain in the Champions League places, wins for Manchester City and Newcastle United last time out have their European hopes under threat.

"Of course it is tough to take. I think it surprised everybody, especially the way we started the game. It was bad. From the beginning until the end, it was a bad day," Nuno said.

"It is realising how we do things; how we play football. It is clear our strengths - we are a team that needs to be close to each other, compact and don’t allow space for our opponents to drive and do their actions.

"Not only against Bournemouth, but in the second half against Southampton, it was a warning. It was 7-0, which we had in 135 minutes. That’s the reality. We have to take a deep look at how we did so we cannot repeat it again.

"It must be a warning for everybody - us as a group of coaching staff, the players, the fans. Realising how we do things, and we can never abandon those aspects of the game."

Brighton also suffered a disappointing defeat last time out, going down to Everton 1-0 at the Amex Stadium, with Iliman Ndiaye’s first-half penalty the difference.

The Seagulls sit ninth in the Premier League table in their quest for European football next season, with Fabian Hurzeler suggesting that additions in the January window could be imminent to boost their chances of a place in Europe. 

Brighton have reportedly submitted several bids for Derby County defender Eiran Cashin, all of which have been rejected, while striker Evan Ferguson has been linked with a move away from the Amex Stadium.

“There are no priorities for me. For me, the most important thing is I can influence the players I have available and try to improve them the best way we can," Hurzeler said.

"The other things we are discussing internally, we always try and that's the most important thing. What helps the club to be more successful and if it's more successful, bringing a new player in, then we might do it.

"If not, then we won't do it, but I'm a coach and, honestly, I really can only influence things on the pitch and besides the pitch, with the players who are there, and that's my job, where I try to focus on."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Nottingham Forest – Chris Wood

Only Erling Haaland (17), Alexander Isak (16) and Mohamed Salah (14) have scored more non-penalty goals in the Premier League this season than Forest striker Wood (12).

The New Zealand international has also scored more goals against Brighton (nine) than he has against any other side in his English league career. 

Brighton – Joao Pedro

Having failed to score in each of his last three Premier League fixtures, Pedro will be keen to add to his five goals he has scored in the top-flight this season.

He has, however, managed six goal involvements in his last eight away outings in the Premier League (two goals, four assists), also netting a brace at the City Ground back in November 2023.

MATCH PREDICTION: NOTTINGHAM FOREST WIN

Forest have won six of their last eight Premier League home games (D1 L1), with five of those six victories coming by a one-goal margin. This is just the second time they have been kicked off at 12:30 on a Saturday since their return to the Premier League, beating Liverpool 1-0 at the City Ground in October 2022 in their only previous game.

However, Nuno’s side’s eight-game unbeaten run came to an end last time out at Bournemouth, conceding more goals in that defeat (five) as they did in their previous seven Premier League games combined (four). Only once previously this season have they lost consecutive league matches, doing so in November against Newcastle and Arsenal.

Forest are also winless in their last three Premier League meetings with Brighton (D1 L2), having been unbeaten in their previous eight top-flight matches against the Seagulls (W6 D2).

Brighton, meanwhile, won this exact fixture 3-2 last season – they’ve never won consecutive away league games against Forest, though.

The Seagulls also saw their unbeaten run come to an end last time out, losing to Everton to halt their six-game streak. The Seagulls have won just two of their last 11 Premier League games (D6 L3) and could lose consecutive matches for the first time since ending last season with back-to-back defeats.

And the first goal at the City Ground could be crucial. Hurzeler’s side have scored the opening goal in 10 of their 12 Premier League away games this season (including in each of their last five), more than any other side. Meanwhile, Forest have gone 1-0 up in 18 of their 23 league games overall this term, the most in the division.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Nottingham Forest – 45.6%

Draw – 26.8%

Brighton – 27.6%