Chelsea Face Nottingham Forest: Bold Predictions, Key Lineups, and What to Expect

Chelsea face Nottingham Forest in an unusually early Premier League kickoff this Monday.

With a public holiday in the U.K., most supporters making their way to Stamford Bridge will be free from work and school commitments for the afternoon match. Although this opportunity arises on the first Monday of every May, the Premier League has only capitalized on the calendar slot on eight prior occasions. Both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest cannot afford to be caught off balance by this unconventional scheduling.

The Blues still harbor slim hopes of securing Champions League qualification. While a top-five finish may no longer be a realistic route, Europe's elite club competition could still be within reach should Aston Villa end up fifth — their current standing — and go on to claim the Europa League title.

Nottingham Forest may have a say in that particular scenario. The Tricky Trees claimed victory in the first leg of their Europa League semifinal against Villa at the City Ground last Thursday. Though attention will inevitably drift toward the second leg in Birmingham this Thursday, Forest have not yet fully shaken off the threat of Premier League relegation.

Monday's early top-flight encounter promises to be a genuine spectacle.

Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest Score Prediction

Blues Brought Back Down to Earth

By the time Liam Rosenior's ill-fated tenure at Stamford Bridge came to a close, the outlook was grim. Chelsea were suffering through their worst stretch of league form in over a century. Goals seemed nearly impossible to come by, let alone the three points that came with them.

Sometimes all it takes is a fresh voice in the dressing room.

Calum McFarlane guided Chelsea into the FA Cup final against Leeds United in his first match of his second interim spell, though it was far from a polished performance. The west London side had to withstand a relentless second-half onslaught from their opponents and owed much to a standout display from goalkeeper Robert Sánchez — something that cannot be counted on consistently.

Forest will have no room for distraction. "I will try to think just about the Chelsea game because it's our Champions League," Vítor Pereira stated. "It's very important for us." Following Tottenham Hotspur's win over Aston Villa on Sunday evening, Forest sit just two points ahead of the Lilywhites and are only one set of results away from dropping into the relegation zone in place of West Ham United.

Prediction: Chelsea 2–2 Nottingham Forest

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Nottingham Forest

Chelsea received encouraging injury news ahead of Monday's fixture. McFarlane confirmed that both Levi Colwill and club captain Reece James had rejoined training during the week. Neither is likely to be thrown straight into the starting lineup — especially Colwill, who has been absent since preseason due to an ACL injury — though both could feature on the bench.

Estêvão is not anticipated to play for Chelsea again this campaign amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding his participation for Brazil at the World Cup. Reserve goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen remains sidelined alongside Jamie Gittens. It was also confirmed this week that Mykhailo Mudryk had quietly received a four-year doping ban from the English Football Association, a decision the player has since appealed.

Chelsea Predicted Lineup vs. Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Sánchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Tosin, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Fernández, Neto; Pedro.

Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea

Pereira was unwilling to provide any definitive updates on the host of fitness concerns Forest are managing in the wake of their Europa League campaign. "I don't know," the Portuguese manager admitted. "I'm trying to be honest because I don't know. I really don't know."

Doubts remain over Murillo, Jair Cunha, Ibrahim Sangaré, Ola Aina and Dan Ndoye.

Greater clarity exists around Callum Hudson-Odoi, John Victor and Nicolò Savona, all of whom have been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup vs. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenković, Cunha, Williams; Anderson, Domínguez; Omari Hutchinson, Igor Jesus, Morgan Gibbs-White; Chris Wood.

What Time Does Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest Kick Off?

How to Watch Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest on TV, Live Stream