Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea Preview
- Draw or Forest win
- Both teams to score
Few matches on the final day of a Premier League season have carried more significance in the race for UEFA Champions League (UCL) qualification than this high-stakes encounter between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea at the City Ground. For Forest, European football is already guaranteed next season, but an extraordinary opportunity remains: a chance to dine at the top table of European football for the first time since 1980/81, when they were the reigning champions of Europe.
Sitting in seventh place and trailing Chelsea by just a single point, Forest must win and hope that at least one of Aston Villa or Newcastle lose to leap into the top five — now the final UCL qualification spot due to England’s UEFA coefficient gain. It’s a scenario laden with tension and opportunity, but for a Forest side without a win in their last three home league matches (D1, L2), rising to the occasion is far from guaranteed.
Recent memories at the City Ground may also haunt the hosts. They lost their final home league game of the 2022/23 season against none other than Chelsea in a pulsating 3-2 defeat, and while that won’t dictate this weekend’s outcome, it does add a psychological edge to an already weighty occasion. Encouragingly, Forest haven’t lost consecutive home league head-to-heads against Chelsea in over a century, suggesting history may still offer them a sliver of hope.
Under the guidance of Nuno Espírito Santo, Forest have displayed resilience and tactical maturity this season, particularly against stronger opposition. But that tenacity will be put to the test by a Chelsea side that has rediscovered its swagger in recent weeks. Enzo Maresca’s men enter this clash in scintillating form, having won six of their last seven matches across all competitions (L1), including a dominant 2-0 victory over Manchester United last week that reasserted their UCL credentials.
For Chelsea, this match represents their simplest route to the Champions League — a win guarantees them a top-five finish. However, other permutations are in play, and even a draw could be sufficient, depending on other results. Regardless, with a UEFA Conference League final looming on Wednesday against Real Betis, Maresca will want his squad to maintain momentum and end their Premier League campaign on a high.
Qualifying for the UCL in his debut season would mark a significant achievement for Maresca, who has had to steady the ship amid high expectations and inconsistent form earlier in the campaign. But the Blues’ away record this season threatens to undermine their hard-earned progress. They’ve won just one of their last ten away league games (D3, L6), and notably, have lost every away league game this term against sides currently eighth or higher in the table — a stark warning as they head to the City Ground.
Chelsea’s attacking quality, though, remains undeniable. They’ve scored in 11 of their last 12 Premier League matches and have developed a knack for scoring in bunches, especially in the second half. Yet the Blues have often struggled to break down teams when it matters most on the road — scoring just seven of their 28 away league goals this season against sides currently ranked 13th or higher.
Key Players to Watch
For Nottingham Forest, Anthony Elanga has proven a vital source of creativity in recent weeks. The Swedish winger scored the decisive goal in Forest’s only win against Chelsea since January 1997 and has added three assists in his last five Premier League appearances.
His pace and directness on the flanks will be key as Forest look to exploit Chelsea’s vulnerability in wide areas.
On the other side, Pedro Neto could be the man to watch for Chelsea. He remains the only Chelsea player to have scored a winning away league goal in 2025, and his influence in the final third has grown significantly as the season has progressed.
Twelve of his 15 career Premier League goals have come after the break, reinforcing his reputation as a late-game difference-maker.
Tactical Outlook and Final Day Pressure
This clash is set to be a chess match between a Forest side with little to lose and a Chelsea outfit carrying the burden of expectation. Forest may look to frustrate Chelsea with a mid-block approach, seeking to absorb pressure and strike on the counter. Meanwhile, Chelsea will be expected to dominate possession and create chances through intricate buildup, particularly from central midfield and the flanks.
What adds further intrigue is that both managers must balance their lineups carefully. While Forest have no midweek distractions, Chelsea’s looming European final may tempt Maresca to rest key players — though doing so with a UCL place on the line could prove costly.
Hot Stat
Chelsea have only scored seven of their 28 away league goals this season against sides currently sitting 13th or higher in the table — a sign that their attacking form against tougher opposition, particularly away from home, leaves much to be desired.
Prediction
This game has all the ingredients of a Premier League classic: high stakes, historical context, and attacking quality on both sides. While Chelsea’s recent form gives them the edge, Forest’s hunger, home support, and the unpredictability of final-day drama mean this could go either way. Expect goals — and possibly, a few surprises.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Chelsea
For more info on this game, you may also visit:
Nott’m Forest v Chelsea, 2024/25 | Premier League