Nottingham Forest v Chelsea – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Forest are winless in seven matches under new coach Ange Postecoglou with five losses. Chelsea have won on their last two trips to the City Ground.

Match: Nottingham Forest v Chelsea
When: Saturday, 18 Oct 2025

Nottingham Forest Form

Forest won 17 of their first 29 matches of last season as they looked set to finish in the top four. With five losses in the final nine rounds of action, they finished seventh. Coach Nuno Espirito Santo was fired this season after a 3-0 home loss to West Ham in round three. Since then, Forest are yet to win a match.

Ange Postecoglou oversaw a 3-0 loss at Arsenal and a 3-2 League Cup loss at Swansea. A 1-1 draw at Burnley and a 2-2 draw away to Real Betis followed. It’s three straight defeats since then, losing 1-0 at home to Sunderland, 3-2 at home to Midtjylland and 2-0 at Newcastle as they conceded 3.45 xG and six big chances.

Nottingham Forest Team News

Ola Aina is ruled out with a severe hamstring injury. Nicolas Dominguez is back in the picture after knee surgery.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is a doubt at left back, whilst Douglas Luiz needs a late fitness test. Coach Ange Postecoglou has Murillo back from injury in defence for this one.  

Nottingham Forest Motivation

Forest need a result here. A draw would feel like a win in their current crisis.

Postecoglou favours an attacking, possession game. However, he parked the bus at Newcastle and may try to grind out a result here to save his job.  

Chelsea Form

Chelsea have three wins from seven league matches this season. In Europe, it’s one win from two Group Stage matches so far. A 2-2 draw at Brentford saw a late goal leaked, before losing 3-1 away to Bayern Munich.

Two red cards proved costly in a 2-1 loss at struggling Man Utd before losing 3-1 at home to Brighton having led 1-0 with eleven men. Two key results preceded the FIFA break. Chelsea beat Benfica 1-0 at home in the Champions League before a last-gasp 2-1 home win over Liverpool to climb the table.

Chelsea Team News

The Blues should have Wesley Fofana and Tosin Adarabioyo available in defence after injuries. Benoit Badiashile is doubtful and Levi Colwill is ruled out, but Trevoh Chalobah returns from suspension.

Liam Delap and Cole Palmer are still carrying serious. Andrey Santos is pushing for a return from injury. Estevao Willian is a possible starter are scoring the winner against Liverpool and a brace on Brazil duty.

Chelsea Motivation

Chelsea took a big confidence boost from the win over Liverpool. They will expect nothing less than three points from this match.

Maresca’s side may have some tired legs from international duty. The Blues will try to dominate the game, but could also sit back and look to pick off Forest on the break.

Key Stats

• Nottingham Forest have lost 11 of their last 19 matches
• Nottingham Forest have lost 3 of their last 4 home EPL matches (2 losses in 12 before that)
• Chelsea have won 18 of their last 24 matches
• Chelsea have kept 9 clean sheets in their last 17 matches

Verdict

Forest are struggling right now, whilst Chelsea may have turned a corner. A Blues win to zero looks like a good tip.

Best Bet: Chelsea win at 1.94

Value Bet: Chelsea win to zero at 3.70

Goalscorer Tip: Estevao to score anytime at 3.35