CHELSEA take on Nottingham Forest tonight in the Premier League – and both sides are after a crucial win.
The Blues are still in the hunt for the crucial European places while a win for Forest would put them on the brink of Premier League survival for another season.
- Kick-off time: 5.30pm BST
- Stream/TV: Sky Sports Premier League
- Forest XI: Sels; Boly, Murillo, Niakhate; Montiel, Yates, Danilo, Aina; Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
- Chelsea XI: Petrovic; Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Gallagher, Caicedo; Madueke, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson
Around the grounds:
The games that kicked off at 3pm are all over at last, following a lengthy stoppage time as Brentford got the better of Bournemouth at the death, winning 1-2.
This is how the scores look heading into this evening’s kick-off.
- Bournemouth 1-2 Brentford
- Everton 1-0 Sheffield United
- Newcastle 1-1 Brighton
- Tottenham 2-1 Burnley
- West Ham 3-1 Luton
- Wolves 1-3 Crystal Palace
I’m sorry Nic Jackson!
Nicolas Jackson has been in great form of late up front for Chelsea, and seems to be proving the doubters wrong.
Can he keep up his good run this evening against a Forest side that has struggled defensively?
Nicolas Jackson has shone for Chelsea in recent weeksCredit: Getty Guess who’s back?
There is a very familiar face in the Nottingham Forest team for Chelsea fans, and it would be the ultimate source of pain if he performs well against his old club this evening.
Callum Hudson-Odoi was involved in debates with Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden a few years back, as to who was going to be the star that lead their team and England to glory for the next decade.
As it happened, CHO ended up with a serious injury, and despite creating plenty of chances for the Blues, he lacked that clinical nature that would see him produce the numbers that the other two went on to achieve.
Nonetheless, lots of Chelsea fans look back at Callum’s time at Stamford Bridge fondly, as he won the Champions League with the Blues in 2021.
These days, he is starting consistently for Nottingham Forest, and re-finding his feet as a Premier League winger, and performing well of late in particular.
The 23-year-old has scored 7 goals in the PL this season, and has an assist too, which has left the question in many fans mind – why did Chelsea sell him to buy Mykhailo Mudryk?
He has a point to prove today, let’s see if he can do it.
Reece James makes the bench
On his return to the squad Reece James is starting on the bench for Chelsea at the City Ground.
Trevoh Chalobah is deputising at right-back, where he has been more than capable in the last few games, but he generally lacks the threat that RJ and Gusto do in the offensive phase.
He will undoubtedly receive a huge ovation from the away support.
Reece James returns to the Chelsea squadCredit: Getty Nottingham Forest starting XI
This is how Forest line up as they are fighting to stay in the Premier League:
The Trees’ line up to take on Chelsea at homeCredit: @NFFC via X Chelsea starting XI
This is how Chelsea line up at the City Ground!
Chelsea’s starting XI vs ForestCredit: @ChelseaFC via X Reece James returns
There is a HUGE bit of news for Chelsea fans ahead of this game.
Captain Reece James has returned from injury following his surgery.
He is one of the best full-backs in the world when he is fit, but injuries have been a huge concern for the England international this season.
If he can stay fit though, he could really be huge for Chelsea in their European push.
Let’s hope he makes it through today unscathed.
Lots on the line
The magnitude of this game cannot be underestimated.
With a win at home, Nottingham Forest will secure Premier League football for next season, which will be a huge achievement given their points deduction earlier on this year.
However, Chelsea cannot afford to lose.
The Blues are desperate for European football next season, and with the way Man Utd have been playing of late, they are in with a real shot of playing in the Europa League, should they win today.
But if they lose they will be in danger of missing out, as Newcastle play Man Utd next week.
Welcome to Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea!
Good afternoon and welcome to Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea, the first instalment of today’s Premier League football!
This is a fixture that has been dominated by Chelsea in recent seasons, and they will be the favourites today.
But their form away from home is quite different to their Stamford Bridge form, and we will have to see if things have really turned around for Mauricio Pochettino today.
It has been far from a great season for Nottingham Forest, but a win today will guarentee that they are playing Premier League football next season, so there is more than enough on the line.
Stay tuned as coming right up SunSport will have any breaking news, team updates and the starting sides all before kick off at 5:30pm.
Nottingham Forest play host to Chelsea this eveningCredit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
