Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea prediction, stats, tips & team news | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest welcome Chelsea to the City Ground for the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday 25th May at 4pm.

At the time of writing, both sides are guaranteed to be playing European football next season, but are well in with a shout of securing a place in the Champions League.

It could well go right down to the wire, with this being a winner-takes-all showdown between Nuno Espirito Santo and Enzo Maresca’s sides.

Chris Wood to score anytime

Chris Wood’s header against Leicester City made him only the second Forest player to score 20 goals in a Premier League season, following in the footsteps of Stan Collymore 30 years earlier. The New Zealander will want to sign off a superb individual campaign with what could prove a crucial goal for his side’s ambitions.

Over 3.5 cards

At the time of writing, no team has been shown more yellow cards than Chelsea in the Premier League this season (96). Forest have received the sixth-most (81) and, with the stakes on offer likely to increase the tension levels, we can expect a few players to have their names taken by the referee.

How both teams go into Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea

A memorable season for Forest has tailed off somewhat, with Espirito Santo’s side experiencing a bit of reality check in recent weeks.

Indeed, the Tricky Trees have won just one of their last seven matches in all competitions, slipping to seventh in the Premier League in the process, while they were beaten by Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-finals.

As for Chelsea, a run of three straight league wins fired them back into Champions League contention. But they missed the chance to consolidate their position in the top five after defeat to fellow chasers Newcastle United.

The Blues also have a Conference League final against Real Betis to look forward to on 28th May, but even silverware would not compensate for finishing outside the top five places.

Nottingham Forest team news

Taiwo Awoniyi will be absent for Forest after sustaining a serious abdominal injury during the closing stages of their draw with Leicester. Murillo should be available, having limped off against Crystal Palace earlier in the month, while Callum Hudson-Odoi could feature against his former club after a thigh injury.

Chelsea team news

Nicolas Jackson will continue to serve a three-match suspension following his red card at Newcastle, though Jadon Sancho will return after being ineligible to face parent club Manchester United.

Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu could also be available for the Blues, but Wesley Fonana and Omari Kellyman remain absent.

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea head-to-head

Since Forest’s return to the Premier League in 2022, the sides have shared the five meetings with a win apiece and three draws.