Nottingham Forest will meet Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow afternoon, hoping to preserve their unblemished start to the new Premier League season.
Last weekend, Nuno Espírito Santo’s team defeated Liverpool for the first time since 1969, breaking their unbeaten streak in the 2024/25 season.
In the first four league games, the Reds overcame Southampton and drew with Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers respectively.
However, Nuno’s squad faces another challenge on Sunday when they face Fabian Hurzeler’s side, which is unbeaten. The Seagulls have equaled Liverpool’s start to the season, with both teams sitting on eight points in the Premier League.
If Forest are to win their third league game of the season, he may have to drop one of the players who started the win at Anfield last Saturday.
Why Nuno may drop Chris Wood against Brighton
Striker Chris Wood has already kicked off the new season with two goals in the first four games, giving him the top tally in the squad.
He has scored both of his goals at the City Ground, but is yet to score away from home, with the Reds employing a stronger counter-attacking approach when away from Trentside.
The 32-year-old isn’t the quickest option at the top end of the pitch, mainly utilised as a target man rather than a player who can rapidly transition the play when in possession.
Wood played 81 minutes in the triumph on Merseyside last weekend, completing only four passes and losing all eight duels.
His hold-up play necessitates the New Zealand international being dominant in the air while collaborating with his teammates to create numerous opportunities in transition.
As a result of his poor performance against Slot’s team, he might be replaced by one player who impressed during his restricted minutes in the final phases of the victory.
The man who could replace Wood against Brighton
Jota Silva, a forward, has yet to start a league game since joining from Vitoria Guimaraes for £7 million in the recent transfer window.
However, the 25-year-old has already made his Liverpool debut, scoring the equaliser in a Carabao Cup defeat to Newcastle United last month.
Silva, who has previously been labeled a “machine” by Portuguese commentator Tomas de Cunha, was brought on to replace Wood last weekend, completing only two fewer passes and winning more aerial duels despite playing 72 minutes less than the former Newcastle star.
Along with Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, he has the pace on the counter to cause problems for the opponent, possibly forming a devastating combination at the top end of the pitch for Nuno’s team.
Despite his substantially smaller build than Wood, he has displayed aerial skill, perhaps giving the Reds an alternative in the air to relieve pressure on the backline.
With today’s encounter providing another opportunity for Forest to build on their great start to the season, Nuno must make some daring decisions to offer his team the best chance of continuing their unbeaten streak.
Jota would be an ideal replacement for Wood, since his all-around talent in the final would give the club the best opportunity of winning a fifth consecutive league title.
