Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, predictions and lineups

Chelsea are aiming to extend their impressive winning streak on Sunday when they host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

The Blues have won their last five matches in all competitions to stabilise themselves after a rocky period at the start of the Enzo Maresca era, with Cole Palmer once again shining at Stamford Bridge. The effortless attacking midfielder scored four goals in the first half of last weekend’s 4-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion and is already flying in 2024/25.

Chelsea were given two difficult afternoons by Forest last season, with the Midlands side winning 1-0 at Stamford Bridge before the Blues avenged their defeat in a 3-2 win at the City Ground. After an encouraging start to the campaign for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side, Sunday’s meeting may be similarly tight.

Forest only lost their first match of the Premier League season last weekend at home to Fulham having already secured victory at Anfield earlier in the term. They have been tough to conquer at the start of the season due to their rigid defensive unit and speedy attacking line.

Here is 90min’s guide to Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest.

Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest on TV and live stream

Chelsea team news

Chelsea’s injury list is easing up as we head into the October international break but they are still without the influential Reece James and young summer recruit Omari Kellyman. Midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka missed Thursday’s win over Gent with illness but should return.

The likes of Palmer, Nicolas Jackson and Wesley Fofana were all given the night off midweek and will be fresh to feature against Forest. Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill and Marc Cucurella were all unused substitutes in the Europa Conference League.

Christopher Nkunku scored once again on Thursday night and will be pushing for Jackson’s starting spot in the future, while Pedro Neto and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also got on the scoresheet to build their confidence levels.

Chelsea predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Jackson.

Nottingham Forest team news

Espirito Santo is without defensive midfield duo Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare following early season injuries, with the former not expected back until the end of the campaign. Ryan Yates and summer addition James Ward-Prowse will guard the defence at Stamford Bridge.

Morgan Gibbs-White returns from his suspension against Fulham and will come into the starting lineup, perhaps joined by former Chelsea man Callum Hudson-Odoi and the scorer of the winner at Stamford Bridge last season Anthony Elanga.

The back four and goalkeeper are unlikely to be changed considering Forest’s impressive defensive record this term.

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Moreno; Ward-Prowse, Yates; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Wood.

Only Liverpool have conceded fewer goals than Forest this season with defensive organisation having been key to their surprise early season form. A clean sheet seems unlikely this weekend but they will make life difficult for Chelsea’s forward line.

The Blues do boast one of the strongest attacking units in the division though, with 15 goals in their six Premier League games. They have scored three or more in their last four matches in all competitions and should have the answers to unlock Forest’s defence.