Game Week 8 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Forest at the City Ground

Chelsea face Nottingham Forest at City Ground. Blues aim to build on Liverpool win, while Forest seek first victory since opening day. Chelsea favored

Can Chelsea, without Cole Palmer prove their win over Liverpool wasn't a fluke when they face Nottingham Forest on Saturday at the City Ground? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Nottingham Forest vs. Chelsea.

The City Ground

12:30pm

The international break is well and truly over, and what a way to return! We start the weekend at the City Ground, where Chelsea is the visitor. How will this one pan out?

Chelsea went into the break on account of their most impressive performance of the season so far, beating reigning champions Liverpool 2-1 at the Stamford Bridge Stadium. The Blues must show that their win over Liverpool was due to them, not the champions' poor form.

The City Ground needs all the love they can get; it’s been a tough season for them, as they’re yet to taste victory anywhere since the opening day. Even the hiring of Ange Postecoglou hasn’t changed anything, as the Australian is yet to win a single game since his return to management in the Premier League.

Chelsea’s form isn’t exactly inspiring either; the Blues endured a torrid run of results before their latest back-to-back wins across the Champions League and the Premier League. This. This is a game they must win to ensure they don’t sink too far away from the top of the log, as many already see them as title contenders.

The Chelsea squad has once again been ravaged by injuries, with Cole Palmer now expected to be out for another six weeks, joining the likes of Liam Delap, Levi Colwill and Benoit Badiashile. It’s uncertain if Enzo Fernandes and Moises Caicedo will be fit for this one.

Ola Aina is the only unavailable player for Postecoglou; the Nigerian has been out since the first international break and is not expected back until the end of the next one, which means he wouldn’t feature in Nigeria’s first World Cup Qualifier playoffs.

Forest could start Igor Jesus upfront because Chris Wood returned late to training from New Zealand, and Dan Ndoye and Morgan Gibbs-White are expected to play behind him. With Murillo now fit and available, you can anticipate strong defensive performances from Forest moving forward.

Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevor Chalobah are both fit and available, with the latter back from suspension. The midfield combination is where we have questions; however, Enzo Maresca should figure it out, albeit from the stands, as he would be serving his one-match ban in this one following his red card last time out.

Estevao was the shining light at Stamford Bridge against Liverpool; will he do it again this weekend? The young Brazilian shone brightly for Brazil during the break too. Can you see past him to help Chelsea beat Forest away from home?

Verdict: Chelsea to win.