Chelsea are seeking their second win under Frank Lampard as Nottingham Forest continue their battle against the drop.
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest odds
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Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest predictions
Nottingham Forest have breathed new life into their survival bid.
A 4-3 victory over Southampton on Monday may not have been good for their supporters’ nerves, but it did boost Forest’s chances of avoiding an immediate return to the Championship.
There is plenty of work still to do, though. Steve Cooper’s side have a three-point lead over Leicester City and Leeds United in the bottom three. One more win could be enough to preserve their top-flight status.
But Forest’s run-in is not the easiest. After this trip to Stamford Bridge, Arsenal will visit the City Ground next weekend. The East Midlanders will then conclude their campaign against Crystal Palace on the final day.
The problem is, Cooper’s men have been pretty dismal on the road this season.
They have won just once away from home, beating Southampton in early January, and have collected only six points at opposition stadiums – the worst record in the Premier League.
Forest have been heavily reliant on their home form all campaign, but their only remaining match at the City Ground is an extremely tough one.
Forest may therefore need to get something from at least one of their upcoming away games.
A positive result on Saturday ought not to be impossible given Chelsea’s struggles in 2022/23, but Forest will begin the match as underdogs.
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest betting tips
Chelsea will be aiming to finish the season strongly, and Nottingham Forest’s poor away record could be a factor in this one.
Chelsea to win – 1/2 (bet365)
Chelsea finally claimed their first victory of Frank Lampard’s second spell as manager last weekend.
A 3-1 triumph over Bournemouth ended a nine-game winless streak in all competitions, six of which came on the club legend’s watch (all defeats).
Chelsea moved from 12th to 11th on account of their success on the south coast. They are now mathematically safe from the threat of relegation.
Yet that merely underlines how abysmal the Blues have been this term. European champions in 2021 and third-place finishers in the Premier League last season, Chelsea have significantly regressed despite spending close to £600m on new signings.
The buck ultimately stops with the co-owner and chairman Todd Boehly, who has been dealt numerous tough lessons this campaign. Chelsea should be much improved next year but there is nothing left to salvage in 2022/23.
Still, ending the season with five consecutive wins would at least give Chelsea a semblance of optimism heading into a summer in which outgoings could be more important than incomings.
Despite a delay in the announcement, Mauricio Pochettino is still expected to be at the helm on the opening day of next season.
The Chelsea players must now show that better times are around the corner – and they can begin that process with another win on Saturday.
Both teams to score – 19/20 (bet365)
Nottingham Forest started slowly in the opening stages of that seven-goal thriller against Southampton, but they were deserving winners in the end.
Employing their customary counter-attacking approach, Cooper’s side were clinical whenever they fashioned an opportunity in the final third.
Morgan Gibbs-White was the standout performer, but Taiwo Awoniyi scored twice and it is no coincidence that Forest’s form has picked up soon after his return to full fitness.
However, Saturday’s encounter will be a test of their attacking credentials. Chelsea’s defence has actually held up reasonably well this season: only Newcastle United and Manchester City have conceded fewer goals up to now.
Forest, for their part, have found the back of the net just eight times in their 17 games at rival grounds. They are by some distance the worst attacking team in the division on the road.
Yet Chelsea are yet to keep a clean sheet under Lampard. The interim boss has chopped and changed at the back and the Blues are struggling to keep the ball out of their goal.
Forest will have been buoyed by their thrilling victory over Southampton last time out, and we fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet in west London.
Conor Gallagher to score any time – 10/3 (bet365)
Of all the teams in the Premier League, Chelsea’s starting XI is the hardest to predict.
With so many players on the books, it is near-impossible to foresee who will be in the line-up, even with full knowledge of the club’s injury situation.
One man who could get the nod this weekend is Conor Gallagher. The England international has been given plenty of opportunities by Lampard, who has started him in four of his five league games at the helm.
Gallagher has scored in two of his last four top-flight appearances, including in the 3-1 win at Bournemouth last Saturday.
The Chelsea academy product is given license to make late runs into the box, much like his manager did throughout his career.
Gallagher showed how productive he can be during a loan spell at Crystal Palace last season, in which he scored eight goals and provided three assists.
He is not the most obvious choice in this market, but at the odds available Gallagher looks like excellent value.
How to watch Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest
- Location: Stamford Bridge, London, England.
- Date and time: Saturday 13 May, 3pm.
- How to watch: Not being shown live in the UK.
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
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