Team News: Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest injury, suspension list, predicted XIs
Fresh from an unconvincing success over AFC Wimbledon in the EFL Cup, Chelsea resume Premier League action with the visit of Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues overcame their League Two counterparts 2-1 in midweek, while Steve Cooper‘s troops were beaten 1-0 by Burnley, and here Sports Mole rounds up the team news for both clubs.
Out: Romeo Lavia (fitness), Armando Broja (knee), Wesley Fofana (knee), Benoit Badiashile (thigh), Marcus Bettinelli (unspecified), Christopher Nkunku (knee), Carney Chukwuemeka (knee), Reece James (thigh), Trevoh Chalobah (thigh)
Doubtful: Mykhaylo Mudryk (unspecified)
Sports Mole’s predicted XI: Sanchez; Disasi, Colwill, Silva; Gusto, Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher, Chilwell; Sterling, Jackson
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Out: Andrey Santos (ineligible), Wayne Hennessey (knee), Scott McKenna (hamstring)
Doubtful: Joe Worrall (personal), Orel Mangala (unspecified), Danilo (unspecified)
Sports Mole’s predicted XI: Turner; Boly, Niakhate, Felipe; Aurier, Kouyate, Yates, Aina; Gibbs-White, Elanga; Awoniyi
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Paul Merson and Chris Sutton agree on Chelsea predictions before clash with Nottingham Forest
Chelsea news – Chelsea are looking to continue their winning run under Mauricio Pochettino when they face Nottingham Forest on Saturday
Chelsea return to Premier League action on Saturday as they look to continue the momentum picked up from their previous two victories.
The latest win came in the Carabao Cup second round as the Blues narrowly avoided a giant-killing to beat AFC Wimbledon 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. The cup draw saw them pitted against Brighton in a clash that is set to take place later on this month, with the league being the next priorit
Their form there has been indifferent, picking up a draw with Liverpool in the first game before a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of West Ham. A victory over Luton Town last time out will have given the side confidence that they can push on during what looks to be a favourable run.
Nottingham Forest are next up, with the East Midlands outfit registering one win from their opening three league games and crashing out of the Carabao Cup in midweek. Steve Cooper has seen his squad invested in heavily over the course of the transfer window and will be looking to put the Blues to the sword for another three points.
Football pundits have given their thoughts on the match ahead and which way they think the clash will go in favour of come the full-time whistle.
Former Arsenal star Paul Merson believes the Forest tie is one that Chelsea could face some issues in, given their ability to defend deep and force teams to unlock them, but they will just about triumph. Speaking to Sportskeeda, he said: “These are the kind of games Chelsea struggle in.
“When there are ten men defending behind the ball, the Blues tend to find it difficult to break them down. A lot will depend on whether or not Chelsea can break Nottingham Forest early on Saturday. If they can, they will be able to get a third win on the trot
Ex-striker Chris Sutton has also backed the Blues to win, but at a better margin than Merson, having questioned Forest’s away record. Speaking to BBC Sport, he said: “A lot was made of Forest’s terrible away record in the Premier League last season so it will be interesting to see if they can improve it this year.
“Chelsea are getting going. They scraped past Wimbledon in the EFL Cup but it was good to see Raheem Sterling on the scoresheet against Luton, he looks like he’s confident.”
