Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Chelsea have been in great form in recent weeks with four wins in their last five league fixtures since their opening day defeat against Man City. We are backing them to continue this run with a narrow win over Nottingham Forest.

The Blues have been the first to score in eight of their last nine and have been the first-half winners in five of their previous six. Therefore look for them to get off to a quick start once more. It is a similar story in this fixture as Chelsea have been the first to score against Forest in five of the last seven meetings. However, the hosts have not kept a clean sheet in four against their visitors.

Nottingham Forest have scored in all three of their away fixtures in the league this season, and they have scored first in six of their previous eight – Chelsea 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Chelsea host Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge looking to continue their upturn in form in the Premier League.

Date: 06/10/24

Kick-off time: 14:00

Venue: Stamford Bridge

There had been much media scrutiny surrounding Chelsea over the summer, but they are quietly putting together a strong run of results. After defeat in their opening game against Man City, they have been unbeaten since, and are on a run of three league wins in a row. This is currently the longest winning streak in the league. Their 13 points has them in fourth place, the highest they have stood since the new ownership took over. Only two points separate them and first place Liverpool.

Nottingham Forest will be their next visitors, who themselves have made a good start. Nuno Espirito Santo’s team had been one of the remaining unbeaten sides until their defeat to Fulham last weekend. They survived relegation by six points last campaign, but look set to greatly improve their position this time around. Six games in, they are in 10th, two points off the European places.

Goals should be a feature in this game, particularly with Chelsea involved. The Blues are the division’s top scorers with 15 goals, but have also conceded seven. Five of these have come at home, where they have not got as much joy as they have on the road. This is because they still have issues breaking down low blocks, signified by their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. Forest have allowed just five goals, only Liverpool have conceded less.

However, Chelsea have an abundance of talent which should cause Forest problems. None more so than Cole Palmer, who continues to impress every week. He has six goals on the season, including four in one half last weekend against Brighton. Alongside Nicolas Jackson, they have developed a dangerous partnership which can trouble any team. Jadon Sancho has also made an immediate impression with three assists in his first three appearances.

At the back, Enzo Maresca’s team will have to be wary of the Forest attack. They have already beaten Liverpool at Anfield with former Chelsea man Callum Hudson-Odoi scoring the winner. The winger has enjoyed life at Forest, scoring nine goals overall since last season. Chris Wood is also a name to keep an eye on, he is their top scorer with three. He led the way last year with 14.

The hosts have dominated this fixture historically, though they have struggled since Forest’s return to the Premier League in 2022. They have faced off four times in the top flight in recent years but the two teams have won once each with two draws. They exchanged victories last season with the away team winning on both occasions. Forest won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge with a goal from Anthony Elanga. Chelsea won the reverse fixture 3-2 in May.

Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.

Chelsea

Chelsea should have a mostly fit squad to choose from with the exception of Reece James who is yet to feature this season. Cole Palmer and Wesley Fofana will return to the lineup after not being named in the Europa Conference League squad.

Nottingham Forest

Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare remain long-term absentees. Morgan Gibbs-White is available to return after serving a one-game suspension. They should have no new injury concerns.

Chelsea:

In their last five games, Chelsea have won been perfect, winning all five. It has been a dominant stretch for the Blues, as they look to continue their good form. This run started with a narrow 1-0 win away at Bournemouth, with a late winner coming courtesy of Christopher Nkunku. The Cherries had missed a penalty earlier in the game, but the visitors took advantage of their limited chances.

This was followed by a more comfortable victory, this time a 3-0 win away at West Ham. Nicolas Jackson scored an early brace to put his side in control, before Cole Palmer put the game to bed with a third shortly after the restart. Chelsea then booked their place in the fourth round of the EFL Cup with an emphatic 5-0 win over League Two Barrow. Nkunku netted a hat-trick.

Last weekend saw a remarkable game between themselves and Brighton, with all the goals coming in the first half in a 4-2 win. Brighton had taken the lead thanks to a defensive gaffe, but the hosts soon turned it around with a Palmer hat-trick. Palmer added his fourth shortly after Chelsea gifted their opponents another goal. Their most recent game was in the Europa Conference League against Gent, in which they won 4-2. Renato Veiga, Pedro Neto, Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall were on the scoresheet.

Nottingham Forest:

In their last five games, Nottingham Forest have won one, lost one and drawn three. It had been an unbeaten stretch for Forest but suffered their first defeat last time out. This came against Fulham at home as they narrowly lost 1-0. Raul Jimenez scored the winner from the penalty spot.

Two 1-1 draws started this run, firstly in the EFL Cup against Newcastle. Joe Willock put the visitors ahead after just one minute, but this was cancelled out by Jota Silva. However, Forest were defeated on penalties. They then came away with a point at Wolves. Chris Wood scored 10 minutes in, though they were pegged back two minutes later.

Following the international break, they picked up a huge three points at Anfield, beating Liverpool 1-0. Callum Hudson-Odoi produced an excellent finish to give them the lead with 18 minutes to go, one they would not relinquish. Forest then travelled to another unbeaten team in Brighton. They maintained their streak with a 2-2 draw. They took the lead through a Wood penalty, but the hosts turned it around with goals from Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck. Ramon Sosa levelled the score with 20 minutes to go.

• Latest match predictions
• Football tips
• Football accumulator tips
• Football bet of the day