Nottingham Forest suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to **Liverpool**last weekend in Vitor Pereira's first game in charge. There were positives to take from the performance, but following the late goal and the manner in which it came about, it was an afternoon that ended in disappointment.
Unlike their opponents, Forest have played in the week and suffered a 2-1 home defeat to **Fenerbahce.Despite the loss, they have progressed to the Last 16 of the[**UEFA Europa League,](https://www.vavel.com/en/data/uefa-europa-league) so they can take the positives from that.
Brighton andHove Albion**** are not a side in good form. The Seagulls won their last game against **Brentford.**However, before that game, they had lost three of their last four Premier League games.
Forest may have advanced in Europe but survival in the Premier League remains their priority. They remain two points above the drop zone, but this weekend could be crucial.
When the two sides last met, back in November, Brighton were 2-0 victors at the City Ground.
Why could this weekend be significant?
The trip to the south coast has been sandwiched between league fixtures against Liverpool at home and a trip to Manchester City.
Given the challenges of those games, there could be added pressure on Forest to come away from the AMEX Stadium with a positive outcome.
It will not be easy, as Brighton are a good side, but it is a game that Forest may see as an opportunity for points.
It is also a weekend where their relegation rivals have, what on paper, could be judged as tricky games.
West Ham United travel to Liverpool, and Leeds United host Manchester City.
Tottenham Hotspur, ahead of their game with Forest in a few weeks, travel across the capital to Fulham, and that may also be a game where Spurs feel they can get points.
There will be pressure on the game, but the season is reaching an important stage.
Things need to change in front of goal
It is a challenge, and the options are limited, but Forest's form in front of goal has to change if they are to win games.
In their last two league games, they have had 53 shots against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool, yet have not found the back of the net.
That will be frustrating and is inevitably costing them points.
Igor Jesus only has two Premier League goals this season, but looks the preferred option ahead of Lorenzo Lucca, who struggled in the week against Fenerbahce.
The hope for Forest fans may be that Jesus' league goals have come away from home at Wolves and Brentford, so they will be wishing that he can find the back of the net on the south coast.
Creating chances is a positive, but Forest must be more clinical and punish sides when they are ahead.
There will be a hope that tiredness does not play a part
Forest have played in the week and, due to the quality of the first half performance, Vitor Pereira acted at the break by making a quadruple substitution.
This meant that some players will have played more minutes than possibly intended in the week.
It is a quick turnaround to Sunday's game but there is also the added element of a midweek Premier League fixture next week.
It may be expected that Forest play a full-strength side at Brighton in the hope of getting a result and then maybe making changes for the trip to Man City.
However, some of the performances in Europe and the lack of an impact from substitutions in the Premier League have suggested a lack of depth in the squad.
Forest are balancing a relegation battle with a European campaign, and they would inevitably prefer to be higher up in the league table, but the situation is what it is.
They will have enjoyed progressing in Europe, but will have to again put that to one side for the next few weeks as all eyes turn towards Brighton and the need for points this weekend.