Chelsea Starting XI vs Nottingham Forest: Confirmed Team News and Predicted Lineup | OneFootball

Chelsea Fitness Race Before Nottingham Forest Trip

Chelsea travel to Nottingham Forest with as many questions as answers over their squad. Enzo Maresca admitted that Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Pedro Neto had not trained on Thursday, casting uncertainty over their availability. “None of that trio trained at Cobham on Thursday,” the head coach confirmed in his press conference, adding that without a Friday session they “would miss the return to Premier League business at the City Ground”. Encouragingly for Chelsea fans, Neto and Fernandez were later seen arriving for Friday’s session.

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Injury Setbacks Clash With Returning Faces

Benoit Badiashile is sidelined until December after a muscular injury sustained against Liverpool, an untimely setback given Trevoh Chalobah only just returns from his suspension picked up against Liverpool after being sent off in the 3-1 defeat at Brighton. Cole Palmer is also out for six more weeks with a stubborn groin problem. Initially pencilled in for a return after the October international break, his comeback has been pushed back to December.

There is relief for Maresca with Wesley Fofana, Tosin Adarabioyo, Andrey Santos and captain Reece James all declared fit. Joao Pedro, previously managing a knock, is available again. Their involvement comes at a crucial time as Chelsea prepare to face Ange Postecoglou’s struggling Forest, who will be intent on halting their slide in front of a raucous home crowd.

Selection Puzzle For Maresca

With Badiashile absent, changes are unavoidable from the side that dramatically beat Liverpool in stoppage time before the break. Levi Colwill, Liam Delap and Dario Essugo remain long-term absentees, while Mykhailo Mudryk is still unavailable. Even with doubts lingering over Caicedo, Fernandez and Neto, the predicted Chelsea XI maintains strong balance:

Sanchez, James, Tosin, Chalobah, Cucurella, Santos, Caicedo, Estevao, Fernandez, Gittens, Joao Pedro.

Forest Challenge Demands Resolve

Nottingham Forest may be short on confidence but the City Ground rarely offers charity. Chelsea have shown flashes of resilience under Maresca, yet consistency remains elusive. The return of key players could tilt the contest, though the outcome may depend on whether Caicedo, Fernandez and Neto are risked or preserved.

Kick off is set for 12:30pm BST on Saturday October 18, 2025. With both clubs craving momentum, this meeting promises intrigue as much as intensity.