Verdict: Nottingham Forest over 0.5 goals

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Desperate to find a route back into the European spots on Monday afternoon, Chelsea will welcome Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea

Starting with the hosts, sacking Liam Rosenior last week following what has been a nightmare rut over the past few months, Chelsea have certainly come firmly under the microscope. Free-falling down the Premier League standings and now facing a major uphill battle in the race to book any kind of European adventure for next season, the Blues are desperate to claim a first Premier League victory since a thumping 4-1 win away at Aston Villa on March 4th, interim boss Calum McFarlane certainly claimed a real boost last time out. Booking their spot in the final of this season’s FA Cup as they secured a gritty 1-0 victory against Leeds at Wembley, that was also the first clean sheet that Chelsea have recorded against top-flight opposition since the middle of September.

Chelsea Team News

While influential skipper Reece James might have recently returned to first-team training, it remains to be seen if the England international will feature on Monday afternoon. The Blues have confirmed that Brazilian starlet Estevao will miss the remainder of the season with a hamstring injury.

Forced to settle for a spot on the bench at Wembley last week, Cole Palmer could be handed a full recall in west London. Despite continued speculation over his future at Stamford Bridge ahead of the summer, Argentinian international Enzo Fernandez will start in the middle of the park.

Nottingham Forest

As for the visitors, while Nottingham Forest might still find themselves at the heart of a Premier League relegation scrap, Vitor Pereira’s side are enjoying a record-breaking flurry. Securing a Europa League semi-final advantage on Thursday night as they secured a 1-0 victory at home against bitter local rivals Aston Villa, the former Wolves boss certainly finds the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Last seen in top-flight action producing arguably a season-best performance as they stormed their way to an empathic 5-0 romp away at Sunderland, Forest have now won all of their last four appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 11-1. Likewise, Monday’s guests are unbeaten in all of their previous nine straight outings (six wins, three draws).

Nottingham Forest Team News

Once again missing out against Aston Villa a few days ago with a reported hamstring injury, Nottingham Forest are expected to be without defensive talisman Murillo. Likewise, Pereira’s side have confirmed that former Chelsea starlet Callum Hudson-Odoi will miss the remainder of the season with a leg issue.

Bagging a famous Europa League semi-final strike against Villa on Thursday night and now notching consecutive strikes, New Zealand international Chris Wood will lead the line. Veteran goalkeeper Matz Sels should return between the sticks at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest Key Factors to Consider

• When Chelsea and Nottingham Forest met for their reverse Premier League showdown on October 18th, the Blues stormed their way to a thumping 3-0 victory at the City Ground.
• Forest are unbeaten in all of their previous nine straight appearances across all competitions (six wins, three draws).
• Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win against Leeds at Wembley last week was the first clean sheet they have registered against top-flight opposition since the middle of January.
• Forest have notched at least a pair of goals in four of their last five matchups away from the City Ground.
• Chelsea have lost four of their last five showdowns at Stamford Bridge across all fronts.

Conclusion

Storming their way to a thumping 3-0 romp when they travelled to the City Ground for their reverse Premier League showdown back in October, Chelsea will be dreaming of a repeat display here. However, watching Nottingham Forest embark on a remarkable purple patch and getting their iconic Europa League adventure with a famous victory against local rivals Aston Villa on Thursday night, Pereira’s high-flying squad will ask some real questions in west London.

Verdict: Nottingham Forest over 0.5 goals

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet