The 2025-2026 Premier League season presents a derby match with high stakes on Saturday, October 18th (Matchday 8), as Nottingham Forest welcomes Chelsea to The City Ground. Both sides need this match: Forest struggles to stay out of an early relegation fight, while Chelsea needs a win that speaks volumes to secure its position in Europe. The game is on a personal level for the hosts, having defeated the Blues earlier in the season. Chelsea, managed by Enzo Maresca, will be hoping to prove that their expensive rebuild is going to deliver consistency on the road.

• Date: Saturday, October 18th, 2025

• Kick-off Time: 11:30 UTC (12:30 PM local time)

• Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham

• Competition: Premier League (Matchday 8)

Due to their frightfully inconsistent league play, Nottingham Forest has had a dismal start to the season.

• Form: Forest are currently 17th in the Premier League table with only five points (W1, D2, L4). Their current league performance is L-L-L-D-D-L.

• League Woes: They were hammered by Arsenal and West Ham, and most recently fell 1-0 at home to Sunderland and 2-0 to Newcastle United.

• European Burden: The team is also dealing with UEFA Europa League games, which has perhaps been a factor in their league weariness and worse form.

Chelsea has enjoyed an erratic but ultimately solid start to their campaign, with their form typified by stern defensive displays.

• Form: Chelsea sit 6th in the league on eight points (W2, D2, L1). Their recent form is W-W-L-W-L-L.

• Defensive Solidity: Chelsea has been tough to break down defensively, despite the injuries, with two clean sheets in their last five league games.

• Goal Scorer: Liam Delap has been instrumental in their attacking and leads the team with shots on target per game (1.9).

Chelsea has always been on the stronger side in this fixture, but Premier League meetings in recent times have been much closer with draws and upsets.

• Recent Upset: Forest secured the shock 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in September 2023.

• Low Scoring Trend: Four of the previous six Premier League meetings have been Under 2.5 goals.

1. Nottingham Forest Injury: Forest is dealing with a number of injury problems, including Nicolas Dominguez, Taiwo Awoniyi, and Murillo. Taiwo Awoniyi is still recovering from a bad injury.

2. Chelsea Injury: Chelsea has been hit hard in defense and in the midfield. Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill, and Christopher Nkunku are unavailable. Cole Palmer is also doubtful due to a recent injury.

Nottingham Forest Predicted XI (4-2-3-1):

• Sels, Montiel, Niakhaté, Murillo, Williams, Domínguez, Sangaré, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.

Chelsea Predicted XI (4-3-3):

• Sanchez, James, Silva, Colwill, Chilwell, Caicedo, Lavia, Enzo Fernández, Sterling, Jackson, Mudryk.

Hudson-Odoi vs. Reece James: The duel between former Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi (now a Forest regular) and Chelsea captain Reece James will be extremely crucial in setting the pace of the flanks.

Chelsea Midfield Control: Chelsea midfielders Enzo Fernández, Caicedo, and Lavia will need to control possession and stop Forest from being able to quickly counterattack, which is their best attacking option.

The market has Chelsea extremely favored to win, which is a reflection of their higher league position and the overall quality of their team, though in spite of recent injury issues.

To check updated betting odds of this match: Click Here

Add value to your betting with exclusive deals:

• $21 Free Bonus

• 200% Deposit Bonus

• $25 & $1 Forever Bonus (Stake.us only)

Get behind your selection, whether it's the Forest, or Chelsea, with added bang for your bet.

Bet responsibly. Bet securely. Keep the action going.

Despite Chelsea's more talented squad and arsenal, their extensive injury list and mercurial away form make them vulnerable. Forest will play an organised, intense game, benefiting from home crowd support and Chelsea's vulnerability to being scored against. Our prediction is for a tight, low-scoring encounter, Chelsea's attacking majesty ultimately proving decisive.

• Final Score Prediction: Chelsea 2 - 1 Nottingham Forest

This Premier League encounter is a watershed for both sides. Chelsea's win would see them closer to European places, while Nottingham Forest's would serve to boost them enormously psychologically and see them out of the bottom three. The stage is set for a day of high-riding drama and top-class football.