English Premier
2025-05-25 - Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 25th May 2025 - Kick Off 4pm
This game is live on TV
Nottingham Forest
The long additional time would have left some Nottingham Forest fans feeling very nervy as their team hung onto a vital three points last Sunday, but ultimately they were able to do that and keep Champions League hopes alive. With one fixture left, Nottingham Forest are not in control of their own destiny, but Nuno Espirito Santo knows his team have to win this game to have any chance of a top five finish.
European Football has been secured and Nottingham Forest are 7th in the Premier League table, but you can throw a blanket over 3rd through 7th in the standings and there is plenty to play for on Sunday. If Nottingham Forest can win and improve the 9-5-4 record at the City Ground, they will need at least one of three teams to falter in order to climb at least two places in the standings.
Nottingham Forest had not won any of their previous 4 games in all competitions and it felt like back to back draws with Crystal Palace and, in particular, Leicester City had been fatal to their chances of a top five finish. The win at West Ham United last weekend has just reignited fading hopes, but Nottingham Forest have just hit a poor patch of form at the City Ground having failed to win any of 3 League games here and earning a single point in that time.
Murillo is hoping to be passed fit, while Taiwo Awoniyi will continue his recovery into the off-season after a serious injury picked up in the draw with Leicester City.
Chelsea
There are three clubs that are in control of their own destiny as far as the Champions League places are concerned, although that could be down to two if Manchester City have been upset by Bournemouth on Tuesday. One of the clubs that will not be worrying about other results is Chelsea who can finish in the top five with a win at the City Ground on Sunday.
That does not mean there is no pressure on The Blues considering a defeat could see them slip all the way back into 7th place and mean another slog through the Conference League (unless Chelsea win that competition next week). It is something that Enzo Maresca and the board dare not think about and the only focus for Chelsea is to improve their 7-4-7 away record by putting another win on the board.
Chelsea beat Manchester United with a late goal last Friday and they have won 6 of their last 7 games in all competitions. The exception is the 2-0 defeat at Newcastle United and Chelsea have lost 5 of their last 7 away Premier League games with only a draw at Brentford and a come from behind win at Fulham the positive results.
Nicolas Jackson continues to serve a suspension, while both Marc Guiu and Christopher Nkunku are doubts. Jadon Sancho is available having been ineligible to play against Manchester United.
Head to Head
Chelsea and Nottingham Forest played out a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
Nottingham Forest have not won any of their last 3 at home against Chelsea, but they were leading 2-1 going into the final ten minutes last season before conceding twice to lose 2-3.
Prediction
As Nottingham Forest were being pegged back in the Champions League race, the importance of this final fixture was increasing day by day.
The 1-2 win at West Ham United has just given Nottingham Forest a shot at finishing in the top five, but the situation is very clear for the home team- they have to win and then also hope that one of the other three teams ahead of them slip up.
Finishing in a European spot has to be commended, but Nottingham Forest have come very close to securing a top five place that the home fans will be keen for one last effort to do that. The likelihood is they will need to win and hope either Aston Villa or Newcastle United drop points, but the focus in the East Midlands is simply winning.
Things are ever so slightly different for Chelsea- a win guarantees them a Champions League place, but a draw could potentially be good enough depending what happens at the other three grounds that fans will be keeping an interest in.
The uncertainty could make things that much tougher for Chelsea who could be happy to sit back and wait to see if they can catch a 'desperate' Nottingham Forest on the break. Enzo Maresca will understand the danger of potentially losing and finishing 7th, which would be hard to explain away, and it could play into the home team's hands that they know exactly what needs to be done.
Recent results and performances have perhaps not been the best, but Nottingham Forest may take some confidence from Chelsea's recent away Premier League form. The absence of Nicolas Jackson has really left Chelsea looking like they lack a bit of bite in the final third and that will certainly encourage a Nottingham Forest team that have their first choice centre halves both set to start.
Almost thirty years have passed since Nottingham Forest last beat Chelsea at home, but that is only a run of 3 matches at the City Ground. Twelve months ago they were leading with ten minutes left and it was Nicolas Jackson who scored the winning goal on that day, but without him, Chelsea may just struggle to break down The Tricky Trees.
With the prices where they are, Nottingham Forest may just be worth a small interest on the final day to at least finish in the Europa League positions at worst.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Nottingham Forest 1-0 Chelsea
