Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea tips and predictions: Safety beckons for City Ground faithful

Forest's morale boosting away win at a doomed Sheffield United last weekend, was tainted after they lost their appeal against a four-point deduction for breaching the league’s financial rules on Tuesday.

It means their season still hangs in the balance and unbeaten in three Chelsea are probably not the opponent they want to be meeting in front of the Sky cameras.

Forest sit three points above the drop zone after last week’s win at Sheffield United and will guarantee survival with victory at the City Ground, if Luton fail to win. A draw would almost certainly be enough if both Luton and Burnley fail to win due to Forest’s superior goal difference.

In the real world, Luton and Burnley both winning away from home at West Ham and Tottenham respectively would look like a tough asks. However, both London sides are in truly horrendous form and their players putting their boots on the right way round would be a big step in the right direction for them at the moment.

So, Forest will need to do it themselves on Saturday if they want to avoid a nail-biting last day of the season drama.

Chelsea come into this game off the back of a draw with Champions League chasing Villa, and two convincing wins over dreadful Spurs and woeful West Ham.

That has everyone jumping up and down about the Blues hitting form at the right stage of the season, but at the same time ignoring the fact that their London rivals are 17th and 19th in the form table.

 

 

That's probably where the Chelsea positives end.

The Blues have not won away in six, way back in February against Crystal Palace, in what was Roy Hodgson's final game.

Chelsea have also not beaten Forest in three matches, which includes two draws and a 1-0 defeat earlier in the season with a goal from Anthony Elanga. Another Forest win would be their first league double over Chelsea since the 1978/79 season.

Chelsea’s away record against Forest is also weak, having won just three times in 15 trips to the City Ground.

Despite picking up two clean sheets on the trot, Chelsea had been very leaky before that (one clean sheet in 17), and with Forest obviously having to go for it, that makes both teams to score and over 2.5 goals enticing options.

With a rowdy City Ground crowd behind them, Forest can certainly grab hold of the safety rope and pull themselves clear of the trap door this weekend.

The brave among you can stick your neck out for a home win, but a high-scoring draw might be the more prudent option.

 

Team stats:

Nottingham Forest have no new injury worries and are expected to carry out late fitness tests on Neco Williams, Murillo and Willy Boly.

Chelsea welcomed back Christopher Nkunku, Malo Gusto and Levi Colwill against West Ham and all three are pushing for a start against Forest.

Reece James is back in training and could make the bench, while Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Wesley Fofana and five others are still on the long-term absentee list.

 

Key stats:

-   Chelsea on three game unbeaten run

-   Chelsea have won just three matches in 15 trips to the City Ground.

-   Chelsea not won away from home in six

-   Forest have not lost to Chelsea in three games

-   Forest no clean sheet in 12 

 

Suggested bets:

Match result - draw

Over 2.5 goals

Both teams to score