Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea Prediction: Lineup, ODDs & H2H

The Premier League returns with a midweek clash on Wednesday, May 11th, 2024, as newly promoted Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea at the City Ground. This fixture is a rematch of the season opener where Chelsea secured a narrow victory. However, the narrative has shifted with Forest’s impressive form and Chelsea’s recent struggles.pen_spark

Match Details: Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea

• Competition: Premier League (England)
• Date: Wednesday, May 11th, 2024
• Time: 16:30 UTC (convert to your local time if needed)
• Venue: City Ground, Nottingham, England
• Teams:
  • Nottingham Forest (Home): Currently 10th in the Premier League
  • Chelsea (Away): Currently 7th in the Premier League

Prediction:

This match is intriguing. Nottingham Forest, on a high after their impressive start to the season, will be a confident force at home. Chelsea, needing a win to stop their slump, possess a stronger squad on paper but must overcome recent struggles.

Here are two possible scenarios:

• Forest win 2-1: A determined Forest performance capitalizes on home advantage to upset Chelsea with a narrow victory.
• Draw 1-1: A tight and tense match with both teams creating chances but failing to find a clear winner.

Lineups (Probable):

• Nottingham Forest:
  • Goalkeeper: Dean Henderson
  • Defenders: Neco Williams, Joe Worrall (c), Steve Cook, Renan Lodi
  • Midfielders: Orel Mangala, Lewis O’Brien, Brennan Johnson
  • Attackers: Morgan Gibbs-White, Taiwo Awoniyi, Emmanuel Dennis
• Chelsea:
  • Goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy
  • Defenders: Reece James, Thiago Silva, Antonio Rüdiger, Ben Chilwell
  • Midfielders: Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount
  • Attackers: Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic

Odds (as of May 5, 2024):

• Nottingham Forest Win: +300 (or 3.00 in decimal odds) – Forest’s home advantage and recent form make them surprise contenders.
• Draw: +250 (or 2.50) – A tight encounter with both teams cancelling each other out is a possibility.
• Chelsea Win: -180 (or 1.80) – Chelsea’s superior squad and experience make them favorites, but away form is a concern.
• Total Goals Over 2.5: -110 (or 1.10) – Both teams can score, with Forest’s attack and Chelsea’s need for goals.
• Both Teams to Score (Yes): -100 (or 1.00) – Given both teams’ attacking threats, goals are likely at both ends.

Head-to-Head (H2H):

• Last Season (2022/23 – assuming this is the relevant season):
  • Chelsea won the opening day fixture against Nottingham Forest. Analyze details like the scoreline, scorers, and performance at Stamford Bridge.
• Overall H2H (last 10 meetings – if data is available):
  • Due to Nottingham Forest’s promotion, there might be limited H2H data. Look at historical matchups between these teams in previous Premier League seasons (if any) to understand historical trends.
  • Focus more on recent form: Nottingham Forest’s current form is strong, while Chelsea has been inconsistent.