Forest vs Chelsea: Who Will Clinch European Spot at the City Ground? | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest and Chelsea Set for High-Stakes Premier League Clash

European ambitions on the line at City Ground

Nottingham Forest welcome Chelsea to the City Ground this Sunday in a Premier League fixture that feels more like a continental qualifier than a domestic affair. Both sides arrive with ambitions of securing a European place, with Chelsea currently sitting fifth and Forest just two points behind in seventh. For the Blues, victory guarantees Champions League football, while Forest must win and hope rivals falter.

Momentum falters for Forest

Forest’s steady grip on a European spot slipped just as spring arrived. From December through early April, they were entrenched in the top three, but recent weeks have seen a worrying slide — only two wins in their last seven Premier League matches. Their 2-0 win over West Ham last weekend offered a brief reprieve, rekindling the possibility of a final flourish to secure European football. Yet the context has shifted, and they no longer control their own destiny.

Injuries haven’t helped either. Taiwo Awoniyi remains sidelined after abdominal surgery, while defender Murillo is racing against time to be fit after an ankle issue. Eric Moreira also remains out, limiting Nuno Espirito Santo’s options for what may be Forest’s most significant domestic match in over two decades.

Chelsea balance stakes and squad

For Chelsea, the stakes are dual-pronged. Not only does this fixture hold decisive Champions League implications, but it also serves as their final Premier League outing before next week’s Conference League final in Wroclaw. That tight turnaround complicates Enzo Maresca’s team selection. Does he risk fatigue or injury by deploying a full-strength XI, or does he rotate and place faith in the squad’s depth?

Photo: IMAGO

The return of Jadon Sancho, who missed last week due to ineligibility against his parent club, will boost Chelsea’s attacking options. Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu have also resumed training, though it’s unclear if either is match-ready. Nicolas Jackson remains suspended after his red card against Newcastle, adding pressure to an already stretched frontline. Omari Kellyman, Wesley Fofana and Mykhailo Mudryk are all ruled out.

Prediction hinges on nerve and necessity

There’s a fragility to Chelsea that continues to surface at inopportune moments, as seen in Conference League stumbles against Servette and Legia Warsaw. But domestically they have regained rhythm, losing just once in their last eight Premier League games (five wins, two draws). That said, the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle was a jolt, compounded by Jackson’s dismissal.

With Maresca’s success to be measured primarily on qualification for the Champions League, this is a match he cannot afford to lose. Whether Chelsea can summon the required composure will shape not only their season but Maresca’s early legacy.

Score prediction: 2-2 Draw – Chelsea’s away form has been an issue all season, and Forest’s key injuries may catch up to them.