Nottingham Forest welcome Chelsea to the City Ground for the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday 25th May at 4pm. Find out match preview and best bets from Anthony Eadson below.
As the curtain falls on the Premier League season, all eyes turn to the City Ground for a final-day clash packed with drama and consequence. Either Nottingham Forest or Chelsea could emerge with a ticket to the Champions League.
For Chelsea, the path is clear: victory guarantees a top-five finish and a place among Europe’s elite next season. Forest, however, face a more uncertain fate. Even with a win, their hopes hinge on favourable results elsewhere.
Over 4.5 cards (7/10 with Betway)
No team has been shown more yellow cards than Chelsea in the Premier League this season (96). Forest have received the sixth-most (81) and, with the stakes on offer likely to increase the tension levels, we can expect a few players to have their names taken by the referee.
Enzo Fernandez 2+ Fouls (7/4 with Betway)
This looks a superb price in the fouls market, with Enzo Fernandez on show at 7/4 to give away at least two fouls in the match. This Chelsea side will be looking to prevent any counter attack from the hosts and Enzo racking up the fouls on Sunday looks a strong possibility. This calendar year on the road in the Premier League he has recorded foul totals of 4,3,2,6,5,1,0,1. With this in mind and considering the context of this game, I’m more than happy to get involved with the 7/4 from Betway.
How both teams go into Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Nottingham Forest are in seventh place on 65 points, a point behind sixth-placed Aston Villa, who hold a spot in the Europa League. Nottingham Forest also won their last Premier League match 2-1 at London Stadium against West Ham United, extending their unbeaten streak to three.
The clubs’ previous Premier League fixture was a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in October. Chris Wood scored for Forest in the 49th minute, and Noni Madueke scored the lone goal for the Blues in the 57th minute.
As for Chelsea, a run four wins in five has fired them back into Champions League contention. But they missed the chance to consolidate their position in the top five after defeat to fellow chasers Newcastle United.
The Blues also have a Conference League final against Real Betis to look forward to on 28th May, but even silverware would not compensate for finishing outside the top five places.
Nottingham Forest team news
Taiwo Awoniyi will be absent for Forest after sustaining a serious abdominal injury during the closing stages of their draw with Leicester. Murillo should be available, having limped off against Crystal Palace earlier in the month, while Callum Hudson-Odoi could feature against his former club after a thigh injury.
Chelsea team news
Nicolas Jackson will continue to serve a three-match suspension following his red card at Newcastle, though Jadon Sancho will return after being ineligible to face parent club Manchester United.
Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu could also be available for the Blues, but Wesley Fonana and Omari Kellyman remain absent.
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea head-to-head
Since Forest’s return to the Premier League in 2022, the sides have shared the five meetings with a win apiece and three draws.
| Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea H2H | |||||||
| Date | Score | Competition | |||||
| 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 | |||||