Premier League: Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea - Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

With everything still to play for in the Champions League race, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea meet in their season finale for the 2024/25 Premier League season.

While European qualification is already in the bag for both sides, a Champions League spot is still very much up for grabs. As a result, NZ betting sites are expecting this match to be a closely fought battle. 

Who will end their season on a high? Find out as we roll out our predictions and betting tips for this crucial Premier League match. 

Nottingham Forest

Forest’s standout campaign has lost some steam in recent weeks, with Nuno Espírito Santo’s men feeling the weight of a demanding finish. Football betting sites, therefore, are offering longer odds for them in this match. 

A run of just one win from seven has seen the Tricky Trees slide to seventh in the league, with their FA Cup journey ending in a semi-final defeat to Manchester City. 

Forest’s attacking threat has been spearheaded by Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga, and Morgan Gibbs-White, who together have racked up 55 goal contributions. Meanwhile, at the back, Matz Sels, Nikola Milenkovic, and Murillo have anchored the defence with calm authority.

Team News: Taiwo Awoniyi is unlikely to make the matchday squad as he recovers from his abdominal injury.

Predicted Lineup: Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Yates, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Dominguez; Wood.

Chelsea 

Chelsea have had their ups and downs this season, but betting apps are now convinced that they are highly likely to play Champions League football next season, thanks to a much-needed win against Manchester United last week. 

The Blues have won four out of their last five Premier League matches to spring back into the Champions League qualification race after a mid-season slump. 

Enzo Maresca’s side, however, have a worrying record outside the comfort of Stamford Bridge. They have lost three of their last five matches on the road, so a trip to City Ground might not be a walk in the park.

Team News: Nicolas Jackson will miss the game as he serves a three-match suspension, and his natural replacement, Christopher Nkunku is expected to miss out with a knock. This means Pedro Neto will have to resume the number nine role.

Predicted Lineup: Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, George; Neto.

• Three of the last five matches between Forest and Chelsea ended in draws.
• Chelsea and Forest have produced 14 goals in their last five encounters.
• Both teams have scored in four of the last five Forest vs Chelsea games.
• Chelsea won in their last trip to City Ground. 
   

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea is set up as a make-or-break encounter, with both clubs needing all three points to keep their Champions League hopes alive. 

Just one point separates them heading into the final day, and with Manchester City holding a game in hand against Bournemouth, the race for Europe remains wide open. Forest, Chelsea, City, Aston Villa, and Newcastle are all within a single point of each other, fighting for just three remaining European places in what is one of the tightest finishes in years.

Chelsea have struggled to score this season, and we expect that trend to continue here since they will be without their primary strikers. Expect a low-scoring affair with Forest picking up a crucial win in front of their home fans. 

Nottingham Forest 1-0 Chelsea @ $11.00 

Nottingham Forest’s clash with Chelsea is set to be the standout fixture of the weekend, with both sides desperate to secure a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League. Forest should be able to nick a 1-0 win against a Chelsea side that has struggled away from home, so back this score at odds of $11.00 on Bet365.