LIVE STREAMING: Nottingham Forest versus Chelsea [Click to watch]
Nottingham Forest versus Chelsea is a fixture that comes on this evening at exactly 4:30 GMT at The City Ground. After suffering their ninth loss of the Premier League (PL) season last time out when they were outclassed in a 3-0 loss at Manchester United, Steve Cooper will be hoping the start of a new year brings new fortunes to his Nottingham Forest team. Now that they are facing off against another of England’s finest here, the Welshman wants to see “greater belief” on his team’s part.
Given that Forest has won 11 of their 13 points thus far at the City Ground, home comforts may be crucial if they are to remain in the top division (W3, D2, L3). The tricky Trees are unbeaten in their previous four Premier League games played at home (W2, D2), and they’ll need to maintain that streak to begin 2023 if they are to avoid the relegation zone. owing to their 22 goals for the poorest goal difference in the division.
Chelsea, who made their return to Premier League play in impressive fashion by breaking a five-match losing streak by easily defeating Bournemouth 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, will be looking to make that total worse. When his team rediscovered the winning formula against freshly promoted competition, Graham Potter praised their mentality as “amazing,” and he’ll be hoping they can do the same thing again against Forest.
Despite Forest’s 23-year hiatus from the top division, Chelsea has faced them five times this century, and the Blues have dominated, winning all five cup encounters and scoring 14 goals in the process. Therefore, this matchup is ideal as the Blues try to bounce back from their second-worst season start at this point since 2001/2002.
Last time out, Taiwo Awoniyi is back in the Forest squad; two of his three Premier League goals this season had come against teams in the top seven of the previous season. In the other end, Chelsea’s goal from Kai Havertz could be a lucky charm since they have only lost twice when the German has scored (W19, D3). Since 2016, Chelsea hasn’t won their opening Premier League game of the year (D4, L2).
