Nottingham Forest v Chelsea: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Nottingham Forest's hopes of surviving in the Premier League remain firmly in their own hands and they could guarantee their top-flight status with a positive result against Chelsea at the City Ground in Saturday's evening kick-off.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side are heading into their final home match of the season sitting a place and three points above the relegation zone, but that gap could have closed by the time they get underway on Saturday, with relegation rivals Luton and Burnley playing earlier in the day.

However, if the Hatters and Clarets both fail to pick up positive results in their games then Forest could confirm top-flight survival with a game to spare if they win or even draw.

That could prove easier said than done though, as Chelsea are heading into the game on the back of convincing victories over Tottenham and West Ham as they look to secure European football for next season.

Nottingham Forest v Chelsea betting tips and predictions

Nottingham Forest or Draw - Double Chance - 4/5

Since returning to the Premier League in 2022, Forest have built much of their success on gaining positive results on home soil, with 13 of their 17 league wins since the start of last season coming at the City Ground.

The Tricky Trees have also enjoyed facing Chelsea, as they are unbeaten in their three meetings with the Blues since their promotion, including claiming one of their rare away victories at Stamford Bridge - a 1-0 success in September.

Last season's corresponding fixture ended in a 1-1 draw - with Forest's Serge Aurier cancelling out Raheem Sterling's early opener for Chelsea.

Those results should give Forest plenty of belief that they can, at the very least, avoid defeat on Saturday, as should last weekend's 3-1 victory at an albeit already relegated Sheffield United.

Forest are also unbeaten against sides from outside the top six at the City Ground since before Christmas, although seventh-placed Chelsea will put that record to the test.

The Blues are ending the season strongly, as their last two games have resulted in a 2-0 victory over Tottenham and a 5-0 thrashing of West Ham, although both those successes came at Stamford Bridge.

Away from home things have not been going so smoothly for Mauricio Pochettino's side, as they are without a win across their last five league games on the road, drawing four of those and losing the other in emphatic fashion when they went down 5-0 at title-chasing Arsenal.

Even the most ardent Forest supporter won't be expecting Nuno's team to replicate what the Gunners achieved, but the hosts are capable of avoiding defeat, something that could prove priceless in the battle to avoid the drop.

Over 3.5 goals - 6/5

While there will no doubt be plenty of tension in the air at the City Ground, certainly from the home team's perspective, that should not stop it from being an open game featuring plenty of goals.

Four of Forest's last six games have seen at least four goals scored, including two of their previous three at home against Fulham and Wolves.

Chelsea have already conceded more goals than they ever have in a Premier League season (59), while 12 of their last 14 top-flight matches have gone beyond the over 3.5 goal threshold. 

With Forest having the potential carrot of sealing their Premier League status with a victory and Chelsea needing the win in the battle for the European places, this match could see both teams attack and that should lead to plenty of goal-mouth action.

Murillo over 0.5 shots - 1/1

Brazilian defender Murillo may have only joined Forest in August, but he has been one of the standout performers at the City Ground ever since.

The 21-year-old is yet to score his first goal in English football, but he has two assists to his name and has proven a threat from set pieces throughout the campaign, contributing 15 shots towards goal - no Forest defender has more.

Six of those efforts have come in his last nine league appearances, including Forest's most recent home clash with Manchester City, and it would be no surprise to see him have at least one effort against Chelsea's often porous defence.

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Nottingham Forest v Chelsea odds

Nottingham Forest - 5/2
Draw - 3/1
Chelsea - 19/20

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.