Nottingham Forest host Chelsea as the Premier League returns from October’s international break.
Victory will lift Forest up to 16th in the table, whilst Chelsea can climb to fourth with a win.
Team News
Chris Wood is a doubt for Forest after he suffered a minor knee injury whilst on international duty for New Zealand.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (groin) and Douglas Luiz (hamstring) could return but Ola Aina (hamstring) remains ruled out.
Chelsea will have Reece James available after he withdrew from international duty due to a knock.
Moises Caicedo, Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos are doubts due to having been on international duty in South America.
Tosin Adarabioyo (calf), Enzo Fernandez (knee) and Wesley Fofana (concussion) are set to be available alongside Trevoh Chalobah – as the defender returns from suspension.
Cole Palmer (groin), Levi Colwill (ACL), Dario Essugo (thigh), Liam Delap (hamstring) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Forest host Chelsea at the City Ground on Saturday 18 October at 12:30pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Forest have won one of their last six meetings against Chelsea (W1, D3, L2).
- Chelsea have avoided defeat in their last four visits to Forest (W3, D1).
- Forest have scored in three of their last four home games against Chelsea, only failing to do so in a 1-0 defeat on the final day of last season.
- Forest have lost both home games under Ange Postecoglou in all competitions (L2).
- Chalobah has scored in two of Chelsea’s three away top-flight matches this season.
Prediction
Currently still yet to win under Postecoglou, Forest really need to produce a huge performance otherwise fans are going to be ever more fiery on the club’s back especially if the defence doesn’t tighten up because their defensive play has been poor so far under his watch.
Chelsea meanwhile looked to have rebounded from their mini rut with wins over Benfica and Liverpool in separate competitions, which would of done their morale serious good going into the break – especially after a clinically controlled display to beat the latter in injury time.
Enzo Maresca however can’t escape his injury crisis but as long as Caicedo and Estevao are fit enough for selection, I can see this being a routine victory if can capitalise on Forest’s defensive fragilities.
Prediction: Forest 0-2 Chelsea
Result: Forest 0-3 Chelsea
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