Nottingham Forest welcome Chelsea to the City Ground this Saturday, with both sides seeking pivotal points in contrasting Premier League campaigns. Chelsea, buoyed by a strong head-to-head record and far superior attacking output this season, arrive as favourites, while Forest look to defy the odds and end a difficult run. With kick-off scheduled for 12:00 PM, expect a high-stakes contest where Forest’s need for points is matched only by Chelsea’s push to climb the table. Find our best bets and match preview below.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on Chelsea’s attacking dominance, Forest’s conversion woes, and the visitors’ strong recent results in this fixture, here are our top betting recommendations. We’re particularly confident in Chelsea to win, given their clinical edge and head-to-head supremacy.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea to Win | 11/10 @ BetMGM (47.6%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Nottingham Forest have lost five of their last seven Premier League home games (W1 D1), as many as their previous 22 at the City Ground beforehand (W11 D6). Chelsea have won three of their last four Premier League away games against Nottingham Forest (D1), including both of their last two in a row. |
| Moises Caicedo to Score Anytime | 15/1 @ BetMGM (6.3%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | Moises Caicedo is Chelsea’s joint top scorer in the Premier League this season with three goals to his name. The Ecuador international has produced some wonderstrikes from distance and with confidence high, his price of 13/2 looks worth taking a chance on. Other firms such as William Hill are taking a more conservative approach at 5/1. |
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Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea Match Odds
How both teams go into Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Newcastle’s 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest last time out only deepened the pressure on Ange Postecoglou, whose side sit precariously in 17th place, just a single point clear of danger and still searching for a first league win since the opening weekend.
Speculation is already swirling around his future, with former Everton manager Sean Dyche reportedly among those being considered should a change be made. For now, though, Postecoglou stays in charge, hoping his eighth attempt will finally deliver a long-awaited Premier League victory for Forest.
A brilliant strike from Moises Caicedo and a late winner from teenage sensation Estevao sealed a deserved 2-1 victory for Chelsea over champions Liverpool before the international break.
That result ended a three-game winless run and lifted Enzo Maresca’s men back into European contention, sitting seventh and just three points off the top four. While their form at Stamford Bridge has been impressive, Chelsea’s away displays still leave plenty to prove.
Nottingham Forest team news
Douglas Luiz and Oleksandr Zinchenko are both nearing a return, while Ola Aina will be out until the new year with a thigh injury.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea’s injury list remains worryingly long ahead of Saturday’s clash, and manager Enzo Maresca will be forced to watch from the stands due to suspension.
Liam Delap, Levi Colwill and Dario Essugo are all ruled out, while key players like Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer, Reece James and Wesley Fofana still face late fitness checks. On the brighter side, Trevoh Chalobah returns from suspension, and both Benoît Badiashile and Josh Acheampong are expected to be available after precautionary rests.
Season Form & Standings
The 2025/26 Premier League season so far has seen Chelsea sit 7th, while Nottingham Forest languish down in 17th. Chelsea’s 13 goals show a team with attacking punch, but Forest’s 5 goals and -7 goal difference underline their struggles both in attack and defence.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 1 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 3 | +11 | 16 |
| Liverpool | 2 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 15 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 3 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 5 | +8 | 14 |
| AFC Bournemouth | 4 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 8 | +3 | 14 |
| Manchester City | 5 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 6 | +9 | 13 |
| Crystal Palace | 6 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 12 |
| Chelsea | 7 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 11 |
| Nottingham Forest | 17 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 12 | -7 | 5 |
Head-to-Head: Last 9 Meetings
Chelsea have dominated this fixture in recent years, winning five of the last nine encounters, with Forest claiming just one victory. The last meeting at the City Ground ended 0-1 to Chelsea, and Forest have managed just eight goals across those nine games, compared to Chelsea’s 17.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 25/05/25 | Nottingham Forest 0-1 Chelsea | Premier League |
| 06/10/24 | Chelsea 1-1 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 11/05/24 | Nottingham Forest 2-3 Chelsea | Premier League |
| 02/09/23 | Chelsea 0-1 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 13/05/23 | Chelsea 2-2 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 01/01/23 | Nottingham Forest 1-1 Chelsea | Premier League |
| 05/01/20 | Chelsea 2-0 Nottingham Forest | FA Cup |
| 05/01/19 | Chelsea 2-0 Nottingham Forest | FA Cup |
| 20/09/17 | Chelsea 5-1 Nottingham Forest | League Cup |
Conclusion
Will Chelsea’s clinical finishing and dominant head-to-head record prove decisive at the City Ground, or can Nottingham Forest upset the form book? With Forest yet to register a clean sheet this season and Chelsea’s firepower, backing the visitors to win at 11/10 with BetMGM (47.6% implied) looks the pick of the market.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
