Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea: Premier League Preview, Team News, and Key Stats
As Nottingham Forest prepares to host Chelsea in a Premier League clash, both teams are encountering distinct challenges and historical narratives. Their last encounter resulted in a narrow 1-0 victory for Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge in September 2023. However, Chelsea has generally excelled in away games against the Tricky Trees.
Head-to-Head Statistics
- Nottingham Forest’s recent performance against Chelsea includes one win in the last eight league meetings (D3 L4).
- Chelsea has secured three wins out of their last four away matches against Nottingham Forest.
- No previous Chelsea team has managed three consecutive away wins against Nottingham Forest in league history.
Current Form and Statistics
Nottingham Forest has struggled lately, winning only one of their last five Premier League matches and failing to score in four of those. They risk scoring less in three straight matches for the first time since April 1999.
In contrast, Chelsea’s away form has been inconsistent, with just three victories in their last 14 league games on the road. This season, they have gained only 27% of their points (12 out of 45) away from home, marking the lowest ratio among teams consistently in the league.
Home and Away Performance
- Nottingham Forest has lost five of their last seven matches at home, with previous performances showing more resilience (W11 D6 in 22 games prior).
- The Tricky Trees are at risk of losing three consecutive home league games for the first time since December 2023.
Goals and Attacking Play
This season has seen Chelsea involved in matches with the most goals overall (22), including 13 goals scored away. Only Burnley has seen more away goals than Chelsea.
Nottingham Forest, notably, has improved their passing sequences, ranking second only to Manchester City in terms of 10-plus pass segments and build-up attacks. Yet, in the previous season (2024-25), they ranked lower for such sequences, highlighting a significant shift in their play style amongst current teams.
Key Player Insights
- Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo leads the league this season with 28 tackles and 18 interceptions.
- Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson also stands out, having won possession 55 times, the highest in the league.
Nottingham Forest’s manager, Ange Postecoglou, has faced Chelsea four times in the Premier League without a win during his tenure at Tottenham. He joins a list of managers, including Rafael Benítez and Mick McCarthy, who have lost their first five games against Chelsea.
The match presents an intriguing contest as both teams vie for crucial points, amid contrasting forms and historical precedents.
