Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea LIVE!
Mauricio Pochettino takes his Chelsea team to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this evening. After such a difficult season, the Blues look to be in a great position to finish strong and even qualify for the Europa League with a top six finish thanks to a late season run.
But while things appear to have changed of late, little of what Chelsea have done all season would indicate that they are behind the kind of inconsistency that has plagued their season so far. However, they will be boosted by the potential of captain Reece James after a five-month injury layoff.
Forest, meanwhile, are still not free from relegation and this week lost an appeal against their points deduction. Follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s special match blog! Nizaar Kinsella will provide expert analysis from the ground!
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea latest news
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Kick-off time and location: 5.30pm BST; City land
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TV channel and live stream: Sky Sports
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Nottingham Forest team news: Williams injured
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Chelsea team news: James could return
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Prediction: draw
16:24 , Alex Young
This won’t come as a surprise, but both Nicolas Jackson and Cole Palmer are starting.
16:17 , Alex Young
Team news is coming. It is expected that James will appear on the bench for the first time this calendar year.
Match odds
16:09 , Alex Young
Nottingham Forest wins: 2/1
Chelsea wins: 10/11
Draw: 2/1
Nizaar Kinsella at The City Ground
16:04 , Alex Young
What a glorious day it is along the River Trent in Nottingham. This is a hot day and will bring an even warmer atmosphere as Forest fans will try to survive a beer-fueled frenzy on one of the most beautiful sunny days of the season.
The streets are already packed with fans and there are also many Chelsea fans arriving early to soak up the pre-match atmosphere.
Head to head
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Forest are unbeaten against Chelsea since returning to the top flight. He drew twice and beat them at Stamford Bridge in September.
Marinakis is confident that Forest will survive
3:50 PM , Alex Young
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is confident Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will avoid relegation and says he has “big dreams” for the club.
Marinakis spoke about his plans for Forest after watching another club he owns, Olympiacos, book a place in the Europa Conference League final by beating Aston Villa in Piraeus on Thursday evening.
The 56-year-old, who took control of the City Ground in 2017, told the BBC: “I am confident that we will stay up and I am confident that in the coming years you will see where Forest will be.
“I think what I have done for Forest so far, the investment, the time, I think we have achieved great things and now you will see that we want to build a big stadium, a new training centre.
“It’s a great team, it inspires us and we want to do more and you will see in the coming years that we have big dreams for Forest.”
Pochettino says Chelsea’s uncertain future has complicated the turbulent season
15:41 , Alex Young
Mauricio Pochettino says it has been a struggle to work while in the dark about his future at Chelsea.
When asked about the impact of the situation, Pochettino said: “We feel so comfortable. The way we get uncomfortable is doubting – like what you’re talking about – whether we’re going to be here or not?
“First of all, it is not my decision, because if the owners consider changing – yes, certainly within a week [at the end of the season] we will know.
“That is an instability that we can comfortably work with. We will be very forceful in our efforts to help. It’s true that over the past few months, as we’ve been talking, that question has always come up.
“You have to quell the rumors; If that’s not true, if not, then the rumor is of a different strategy.
He added: “If you ask, does that affect me? It doesn’t affect me. Does this have consequences for the people who work for us? I think so, because ultimately you can squash the rumor and fire me, and that’s no problem. That happens at many clubs.”
15:35 , Alex Young
Beautiful, beautiful day for it.
Score prediction
15:31 , Alex Young
The previous results could influence this match in any number of ways, but going into the weekend, Chelsea’s poor away form makes a draw the most likely outcome.
A 1-1 draw.
Chelsea team news
15:24 , Alex Young
Chelsea could welcome captain Reece James today as Mauricio Pochettino’s long injury crisis finally subsides.
Blues skipper James has completed full training at Cobham alongside midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu, who has also been out since December with hamstring problems, and dropped a hint about X earlier in the day.
Christopher Nkunku, Raheem Sterling, Thiago Silva, Axel Disasi, Malo Gusto and Levi Colwill all returned in last weekend’s resounding 5-0 win over West Ham.
Chelsea now only have six players on the treatment table, the lowest number in some time.
Enzo Fernandez, Robert Sanchez, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Carney Chukwuemeka all remain out.
It gives manager Pochettino real options for the first time as he remains under pressure to secure his future at Stamford Bridge by qualifying for Europe next season.
Mykhailo Mudryk has been the only player to have struggled in recent weeks and could be left out for Sterling in a forward line that includes Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson. Otherwise it would have to be a case like you were.
Nottingham Forest team news
15:15 , Alex Young
Nottingham Forest’s injury problems have subsided in recent weeks, with Murillo, Willy Boly, Nicolas Dominguez and Taiwo Awoniyi all returning for the win over Sheffield United.
Awoniyi is now pushing for a start, putting Chris Wood’s place in jeopardy.
That also means that Nico Williams is the only absentee tonight.
Where can you watch Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea?
15:07 , Alex Young
TV channel: In the UK, today’s match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and the Premier League, with coverage from 5pm.
Live stream: Subscribers can also watch the match live online via the Sky Go app.
Welcome
14:59 , Alex Young
Good afternoon and welcome to Standard’s LIVE coverage of the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea.
The Blues looking for a third win as they focus on a late bid for a Europa League spot, while Forest know a win will all but secure their Premier League status for another season.
The kick-off on Stadsplein is at 5:30 PM. Join us.
