Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea: Prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds | OneFootball

Premier League action resumes after the international break as Blues look to build on win over Liverpool

Your matchday briefing on Chelsea, featuring team news and expert analysis from Dom Smith

Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Chelsea return to Premier League action this weekend as they face a struggling Nottingham Forest side away from home.

That result ended a run of three Premier League games without a win for Chelsea, though Enzo Maresca’s decision to leave his technical area to celebrate the late winner earned him a second yellow card and therefore a one-match suspension.

As this is the first game of the Premier League weekend, Chelsea have the chance to move into the top four with a win, while Forest can pull clear of the relegation zone - albeit potentially only for a couple of hours.

Date, kick-off time and venue

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea is scheduled for a 12.30pm BST kick-off on Saturday, October 18, 2025.

The match will take place at the City Ground.

Where to watch Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea

TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports. Coverage starts at 11am BST on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate ahead of the 12.30pm kick-off.

Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, with expert analysis from Dom Smith at the ground.

Free highlights: The Sky Sports app and YouTube channel will show highlights from shortly after the final whistle with Match of the Day broadcasting on BBC One at 10.30pm BST.

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea team news

Oleksandr Zinchenko, on loan from Arsenal, is a doubt for Forest with a groin injury that forced him to miss the last two games before the international break and also both of Ukraine’s World Cup qualifiers.

Douglas Luiz could also miss out because of a hamstring issue. Former Chelsea academy product Ola Aina is a long-term absentee after undergoing successful hamstring surgery last month.

As for the Blues, Maresca has concerns over multiple senior players as the international break offered up even more issues with Enzo Fernandez and captain Reece James withdrawing from the Argentina and England squads respectively.

Standard Sport understands that James’ issue was minor and the decision to withdraw from England duty was precautionary given the player’s injury record.

Elsewhere, Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Benoit Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, Joao Pedro, Tosin Adarabioyo and Josh Acheampong should all be fit, while Trevoh Chalobah is available again after suspension.

However, Cole Palmer looks set to sit this one out too amid reports the attacking midfielder is expected to be sidelined until November with a troublesome groin strain.

Doubt: Cole Palmer

AFP via Getty Images

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea prediction

The first game after an international break is always a difficult fixture to navigate and Forest’s desperate need for three points will make things a bit more tricky for the Blues.

Still, that win over Liverpool should have bolstered the confidence within the Chelsea camp and we expect them to have too much quality for the hosts as the pressure builds on Postecoglou.

Chelsea to win, 3-0.

Head to head (h2h) history and results

Chelsea have not lost at the City Ground since January 1997 and clinched Champions League qualification in the corresponding fixture on the final day of last season with Levi Colwill netting the only goal of the game.

Nottingham Forest wins: 27

Chelsea wins: 42

Draws: 31

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea match odds

Nottingham Forest to win: 12/5

Chelsea to win: 5/6

Draw: 21/10

Odds via Betfair (subject to change).