Game Week 36 Predictions: Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest

Game Week 36 Predictions: Chelsea to heap relegation pressure on Nottingham Forest - Premier league preview, Betting tips, Team news

Chelsea's form makes it easy for Forest to dream at Stamford Bridge but Steve Cooper's side has more to lose than the Blues. (Photo credit: Sporting News)

 

Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest

Stamford Bridge Stadium

15:00hrs

Chelsea finally registered a point under Frank Lampard, but Bournemouth players and fans would have a fine shout in court for a penalty decision that should have gone against the Blues, which could have changed the look of things.

The 3-1 win over the Cherries was Chelsea’s first win in seven games, and while their season ended a long time ago, pride is at stake going into this one as there’s nothing significant to fight for anymore at this stage, but their visitors can’t say the same.

Nottingham Forest won a relegation six-pointer last Monday against Southampton.

A result that took them out of the bottom three, but a loss at Chelsea could return them to murky waters, and at this stage, it could be grave.

Not many gave Forest the chance to stay up this season considering the dynamics around their squad, but manager Steve Cooper continues to steady the ship in the storm, and their game at Stamford Bridge could define their entire season.

A win for Nottingham Forest at Chelsea, which you can’t put past them at this stage, will all but guarantee they retain their top-flight status considering the supposedly sealed fate of Southampton and the difficult fixtures of their direct rivals.

Chelsea can use fixtures like this to give fringe players some playing time.

This is why you wonder how the club hierarchy thinks: why not hand the long-term job to a substantive manager, for him to see out the season and pick up lessons along the way ahead of a new season? Why Frank Lampard?

It’s about Nottingham Forest’s survival charge.

If you look around Nottingham Forest, Everton is home to the reigning champions.

Leeds play at home against Newcastle, which desperately wants Champions League football.

And Leicester is also playing at home to another Champions League hopeful, Liverpool.

Steve Cooper has to be brave here, and the boys also have to stay disciplined.

Stay on your feet, don’t go into needless tackles, and take your chances when you get one, and you just might come away with a point or three; it’s not impossible.

Chelsea fans won’t be nursing sympathy for Nottingham Forest; they want some value for their passion, and only a win would underline that.

Chelsea can be a spoiler, but it’s going to be a game of who wants it more at the end of the day.

Verdict: Both teams will score.