Game Week 35 Predictions: Chelsea must beat Forest to keep UCL hopes alive

Premier League Game Week 35 Predictions: Chelsea must beat Forest to keep UCL hopes alive

Ange Postecoglou was fired at Nottingham Forest shortly after the home defeat to Chelsea earlier in the season, can Vitor Pereira upset the odds at Stamford Bridge? (Photo credit: Opta)

 Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest

Stamford Bridge Stadium

3:00pm

It's a bank holiday in the UK on Monday, and it's a good time to have some midday Premier League football. It's Chelsea at home against glory hunters Nottingham Forest.

Following strong wins for Bournemouth and Brentford, Chelsea now sits in 9th place on the Premier League table. A win at home on Monday takes the Blues to the 7th spot; with three games left after Monday, Chelsea can dream again.

Nottingham Forest can win the Europa League and become the 6th Premier League side in the Champions League next season. There's a strong matter of relegation to worry about, and that makes this fixture a tough one for Chelsea.

Forest beat Sunderland silly last weekend and then took the first-leg advantage in the Europa League against Aston Villa. More of those two results this week, and Vitor Pereira's team would be dreaming of Europe and survival in the league.

Chelsea, under Callum McFarlane, owes their fans a lot of goosebumps and excitement. The cup semifinal success did little to placate the hungry fans; they will need to do more in their remaining four league games and the FA Cup final.

Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Moises Caicedo are Chelsea's best players, but many of them have failed to turn up on days that matter. The sacking of Liam Rosenior can easily be linked to the players' attitude.

The club hierarchy is actively looking for a substantive manager to start the new season. Names like Cesc Fabregas, Oliver Glasner, Andoni Iraola, and Julian Nagelsmann have all been discussed; don't rule out the possibility of Keith Sweat, too.

How will Chelsea approach this one? The Blues will try to play on the front foot from the blast of the whistle. A draw represents a great result for Forest; it is Chelsea that cannot afford to drop points.

Forest will not be too complacent. A win on Monday at Stamford Bridge means Forest would be 6 points clear of West Ham in the race against the drop, and with the Hammers hosting title-chasing Arsenal next, Forest can start preparing for life in the top flight again next season.

Who are the players to look out for on Monday? Palmer, Joao Pedro, and Enzo Fernandes are the players Chelsea will rely on for goals; defensively, Chelsea must be wary of Morgan Gibbs White and the returning Chris Wood. The game should be fun to watch.

Verdict: Chelsea to win.