Compelling FA Cup Still Means Everything

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Nottingham Forest

The FA Cup is still the most famous cup competition in world football. Period.

There will be those of you who think this SBOTOP ‘romantic’ has lost the plot with such a statement.

That statements like his opening gambit speak of an age when it truly was the tournament that created a buzz like no other; when the underdogs had a genuine chance of making football history; when the final was the most-watched game of the year, not just in England but the world over.

And yes, many of those wonderful traditions have now subsided – not least, in part, because of the greed that pervades the higher echelons of the game.

That has led to, and here are just a few examples, the forced staging of semi-finals at Wembley, often causing havoc for tens of thousands of fans in the process; led untimely kick-off scheduling which sees rounds sometimes begin on a Thursday and last until the following Tuesday; caused replays to be scrapped and ties to be settled at the first time of asking.

And for anyone who disagrees, just consider the minnows of Tamworth who were level with the mighty Spurs in the third round in January and denied a replay which could have secured their financial stability for the next year.

Yet despite all this, one thing footballing authorities and TV companies have not been able to alter is the magic.

That will be evident on the south coast this weekend when two clubs strive for FA Cup 2025 highlights and a road to glory which would cement their club status forever.

 

Talking Points

It was 1991 when Nottingham Forest last contested an FA Cup Final, going down to Spurs after extra-time in a contest known for the hyped-up behaviour of Paul Gascoigne.

They have won the competition twice but not since 1959, while the closest Brighton have come was in 1983 and a game known for the commentary line ‘and Smith must score’ in the final seconds of extra-time.

Needless to say, he didn’t, and Manchester United thrashed the Seagulls in the replay five days later.

League form will certainly be forgotten this weekend as flying Forest (third place in the Premier League) and Brighton (in seventh) give it their all.

For here is a tie which will demonstrate why the FA Cup still matters and why the magic lives on.

 

History

Historically a close run thing, Forest have 18 victories against Brighton to their name compared to 13 triumphs for the south coast team and 12 draws.

Of the five meetings since Forest were promoted back to the Premier League in 2022, Brighton have held the slight upper hand following a league double last term.

An own goal separated the sides in Brighton’s favour in the second match after they also won 3-2 at the City Ground when Evan Ferguson and a Joao Pedro double, one from the penalty spot, won the day – sandwiched between an Anthony Elanga opener and a Morgan Gibbs-White spot kick.

The sides shared four goals when they met earlier in the season.

On that occasion a Chris Wood penalty opened the scoring before Brighton came back to take the lead with two goals in three minutes through Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck.

Ramon Sosa’s 70^th minute goal ensured Forest fought back to earn a point.

Then came January’s romp when the floodgates opened to the extent that no-one saw the result coming.

That Forest put seven past the Seagulls without reply – a Wood hat-trick (one penalty), Morgan Gibbs-White, Neco Williams. Jota Silva and an own goal – was a major shock and Forest’s biggest league win since a 7-0 victory against Chelsea in League Division One in April 1991.

By contrast, it was Brighton’s heaviest league defeat since a 9-0 loss at Middlesbrough on the opening day of the 1958-59 Second Division season.

Their very first meeting in August 1949 also ended two apiece, that contest in Division Three South.

 

Betting Tip 

Revenge will almost certainly be on the menu for the home side who can be backed 1X2 @ 1.83, although how Forest are so adrift, 1X2 @ 3.82 with our FA Cup 2025 betting odds, is a mystery to me.

Likewise with Asian Handicap, you can back the hosts -0.75 @ 2.08 and Forest +0.50 @ 2.07.

For Over 2.75 goals, the price on offer is @ 2.03, similarly to Total Goals 2-3 @ 2.00, with 4-6 priced @ 3.08.

I do think this is a tie between two evenly matched teams and one that can go either way and may require extra-time and, possibly, penalties.

How both teams are personnel wise, following the international break, could be key and have been tempted by 1X2 Draw (after 90 minutes) @ 3.42.

I am, though, just edging towards Brighton, who have enjoyed some special moments in the cup in recent years, reaching the semi-finals for the second time in three seasons and my *** tip is Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 5.10.

   

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