On Saturday, Stamford Bridge will host a match between two Premier League teams looking for consecutive victory when Chelsea hosts Nottingham Forest.
Raheem Sterling’s first half goal and Serge Aurier’s second half equalizer resulted in a 1-1 tie between the two teams earlier this year at the City Ground.
Match Preview
On a historic Saturday for the UK, underachieving Chelsea eventually crossed the 40 points threshold with a 3-1 victory at Bournemouth. This was their first victory in ten competitive games. However, they might still require a flawless conclusion to escape placing last in the Premier League (PL) standings for the first time since 1995/96.
As a result, they’ll be eager to win for the third time in as many home league games this year (W2, D3, L5). Since all of those victories came after tense, scoreless first halves, any victory despite the Londoners being the clear favorites might not be easy.
After defeating Southampton 4-3 on Monday to move three points clear of the danger, visitors Nottingham Forest have regained their momentum. The fact that it would be their first victory at Stamford Bridge since January 1995 might be significant in more ways than one and bring them within one point of safety, albeit this is contingent on losses for Leeds and Leicester.
However, Forest would be thrilled with even a draw given that Steve Cooper’s team is going to London after losing seven straight Premier League away games. The majority of those seven losses are also a part of Forest’s dismal away league record this season (D1, L11).
where they have given up the opening goal 11 times.Even worse, the Reds have lost every game in their last five trips to the capital since winning promotion from the Championship a year ago, including four defeats by multiple goals.
Super sub All three of Joo Félix’s past Premier League goals were either the opening or final scores of the day as he sealed Chelsea’s victory over the weekend. Danilo, a midfielder for Forest, will no doubt be bloodthirsty after scoring the game winning goal against Southampton on Monday. He has a chance to become the first Brazilian to score in four straight Premier League games.
Tram News
Wesley Fofana, who missed the victory over the Cherries, is questionable with a hamstring injury. Ben Chilwell, a left defender for Chelsea, joined the injured quintet of Reece James, Marc Cucurella, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mason Mount, and Armando Broja on the sidelines.
In the absence of both Chilwell and Cucurella, Cesar Azpilicueta is anticipated to start at left back, with Lampard planning to stay with a back four consisting of Trevoh Chalobah, Badiashile and Thiago Silva.
Gallagher or N’Golo Kante may lose their starting positions in the center of the field to Mateo Kovacic, and Christian Pulisic, Felix, Sterling, Hakim Ziyech, and Hakim Ziyech will all be competing to play on the wings in place of Mykhaylo Mudryk or Noni Madueke, who both started against Bournemouth.
Cooper has stated that Renan Lodi (knee) and Aurier (fitness) are both questionable for Nottingham Forest, while Dean Henderson, Chris Wood, Scott McKenna, Giulian Biancone, Omar Richards, Neco Williams, Jonjo Shelvey, Jack Colback, and Emmanuel Dennis are still in the treatment room. Aurier is also “touch and go” for Nottingham Forest due to fitness concerns. Gustavo Scarpa is also out, but he has started full training again and is getting closer to making a comeback.
Joe Worrall might start at right back in Aurier’s absence, and Harry Toffolo is the most probable contender to play left back if Lodi is not found fit to play.
In the center of the field, Cheikhou Kouyate and Remo Freuler will compete for the starting position. Gibbs-White, Awoniyi, and Brennan Johnson are expected to remain in the front three after their outstanding outing as a unit last time.
Chelsea possible starting lineup
Kepa, Chalobah, Silva, Badiashile, Azpilicueta, Kante, Fernandez, Kovacic, Madueke, Havertz and Sterling.
Nottingham Forest possible starting lineup
Navas, Worrall, Felipe, Niakhate, Toffolo, Freuler, Mangala, Danilo, Gibbs-White, Johnson and Awoniyi.
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Our prediction is Chelsea 2-1 Nottingham Forest
In order to finish the season on a high note, Chelsea will be hoping that their most recent triumph will serve as a springboard for a string of victories. However, they will face a fired up Nottingham Forest team on Saturday who will be eager to strengthen their chances of survival with a victory.
Although the Blues have had trouble scoring at home this season, we anticipate Lampard’s team to have better success in the final third and earn all three points.