Game Week 7 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Nottingham Forest

Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest preview. Chelsea pushes for top four, while Forest aims to bounce back. Can Forest upset Chelsea like last season?

Chelsea's Cole Palmer is a player to watch as Nottingham Forest attempts to stop Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge Stadium. (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest

Stamford Bridge Stadium

2:00pm

Chelsea is making a strong push into the top four. They may not be ready for a title challenge, but it's too early to declare them out.

The Blues keep stringing wins together, the latest coming in a 4-2 Europa League win at home to Gent, but conceding an average of two goals a game is something Enzo Maresca needs to work on as matches come in thick and fast.

Nottingham Forest lost their invincibility last weekend at home to Fulham. It was a game in which they had chances but couldn’t take them before succumbing to a Raul Jimenez penalty. It’s a tougher ask this time as they play against another London club. Will they fix up this time?

Nuno Espirito Santo has built a side that is difficult to beat; the wide men (Callum Hudson Odoi and Anthony Elanga) are among the fastest in the league, and, when they’re in full stride, they can ruin anyone’s script.

Chelsea is the clear favourite to win this game, but they must remember how Forest took all three points from Anfield. It was a game everyone thought would be too straightforward for the Kops, but Espirito Santo managed the game intelligently to hand the visitors the win. Chelsea should be careful.

How will they line up? Robert Sanchez is still the man the Blues will trust in goal, but something must be improved about the defense that continues to score goals. Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, and Wesley Fofana are the front runners for the CB position; can Maresca find the right balance?

Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo's midfield pivots are clicking at the right time, but Chelsea's flank options are ridiculous. Jadon Sancho and Noni Madueke look like first-choice wingers, but Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Mhkhailo Mudryk, and Christopher Nkunku are waiting in the wings.

Forest will welcome back Morgan Gibbs White from suspension after the playmaker missed the last game due to the contentious red he received against Brighton. Expect Elanga and Hudson Odoi to start on the flanks, unless the manager wants to try the Liverpool joker again.

Forest won at Stamford Bridge last season; the 1-0 result was unexpected, but, with what we have seen so far, Chelsea won’t be complacent. It’s a game between a free-scoring side and a defensively solid opponent; something has to give.

Verdict: Chelsea to win.