Chelsea FC vs Nottingham Forest FC, Premier League 2022-2023, Today Match Prediction

Chelsea FC vs Nottingham Forest FC Match Prediction & Analysis

Chelsea finally earned a precious victory last weekend, seeing off Bournemouth in a tense affair to end a 10-game winless streak.

It was a moment of relief for Frank Lampard, whose return to the club has been much criticised, and provides an opportunity to build upon that win here, at Stamford Bridge.

He would love to return his former club to winning ways at home and has a great opportunity to do so against a team that has the worst away record in the league this season.

Nottingham Forest have been poor away from the City Ground this season, but two thrilling wins from their last two home games have given them some breathing space at the bottom.

They probably need one more victory to be safe this season, but a three-point gap at this stage is most welcome heading into the final three games of the campaign.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Chelsea FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful:

     Win against Bournemouth should lift spirits

     Have the opportunity to end the season strongly

Reasons to be fearful:

     Failed to beat Forest earlier this season

     Only won back-to-back games on two occasions this season

Chelsea’s aim for the remainder of the season, other than securing a new permanent manager, will be to end it positively on the pitch.

They have four games remaining and, while they can’t secure European football for themselves, they can have a huge say in how the top seven shapes up.

The Blues face both Manchester clubs and Newcastle before the season is out, meaning that three of the top four clubs need results against Frank Lampard’s men. It’s a big responsibility and one that Chelsea should enjoy.

Following their win away to Bournemouth, they now have the opportunity to win a home game for the first time since 4th March, against the team with the league’s worst away record.

It would be just like Chelsea to mess it up, but they should turn up the heat here.

Star Man – Joao Felix

The Portugal international hasn’t always started under Lampard, but came off the bench to score Chelsea’s third last week. His trickery and skill would be great assets to have against Forest’s defence this week.

Nottingham Forest FC Preview

Reasons to be cheerful

     One more victory would make them all but sure of survival

     Claimed a point from their first meeting with Chelsea this season

Reasons to be fearful

     Just one victory and three draws from their 17 away games this season

     Only scored eight goals away from the City Ground

At home, Nottingham Forest have developed into a team that can take points off most teams in the league of late, as Brighton found out the other week.

Indeed, they have claimed wins from their last two games at the City Ground, scoring seven goals in the process. They have propelled Forest out of the bottom three, although another win is needed before they can relax.

They managed to take a point of Chelsea earlier in the season, but their away form has been disastrous throughout the campaign.

With just eight goals scored and one victory claimed away from the City Ground, Forest haven’t enjoyed their travels this campaign.

They have to tighten up here, or they could be on the end of a hiding.

Star Man – Morgan Gibbs-White

Gibbs-White has started to pay back some of that club-record fee in recent weeks, with three goals in his last four appearances.