Nottingham vs Chelsea prediction
The Premier League returns to the City Ground on Saturday, 18 October 2025 (kick-off 14:30 GMT+3) for a Matchday 8 fixture in which Nottingham Forest will entertain Chelsea FC. This contest pits Ange Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest, currently 17th in the table on 5 points, against Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea, who sit 7th with 11 points. Forest arrive with a home record of 1 win, 0 draws and 2 defeats and an overall goals tally of 5 scored and 12 conceded, while Chelsea have accumulated 13 goals and conceded 9, travelling with an away record of 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat. The most recent meeting between the sides ended as a 1-0 victory for Chelsea on the road; across the last five encounters in all competitions, the pair share 1 Nottingham Forest win, 2 draws and 2 Chelsea wins.
Take the advantage of our deeper insight into the England Premier League Prediction to pick the weekend winning events.
Main Betting Tip: Chelsea Win (DNB)
Chelsea arrive in better recent form and with greater attacking output this season. Their superior goals scored (13) and a recent run of three wins in the last five matches across competitions indicate a side finding cohesion under Enzo Maresca. Nottingham Forest have struggled for goals (5 in the league) and are enduring a run of five matches without victory (0 wins, 2 draws, 3 defeats), which amplifies their vulnerability at home. Given Chelsea’s relative consistency and the overall disparity in recent performances, the most probable outcome is for Chelsea to remain unbeaten in this match; hence, wagering on the away victory (DNB) for Chelsea will be the most prudent pick.
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Betting Tip 2: Under 2.5 goals
Betting tip: Under 2.5 goals. While BTTS is plausible, the season-to-date data suggests a relatively low-scoring encounter: Nottingham Forest have only five league goals so far and, although Chelsea have been more prolific, several of their matches have been tight affairs. Defensive organisation and a cagey approach in the middle of the table can produce low-scoring results, particularly at the City Ground, where Forest may set up to frustrate. The Under 2.5 market, therefore, offers value for punters expecting a tight match with limited goal flow.
Betting Tip 3: Correct score 1-1
Betting prediction: Correct score 1:1. This selection aligns with the expectation of a closely contested game that produces goals at both ends but fewer than three in total. A 1-1 result captures the scenario of Chelsea marginally edging play and creating chances, while Forest manages at least one successful response either from a set-piece or transitional moment. The 1:1 correct score, therefore, pairs the conservative Under 2.5 outlook with the Both Teams To Score assertion, and represents a plausible, value-backed forecast.
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Statistics for Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea FC
Nottingham Forest team news!
Manager Ange Postecoglou faces a challenging run of form with Forest; the club sit 17th with 5 points after 1 win, 2 draws and 4 defeats, and a goal difference highlighting attacking struggles (5 for, 12 against). At home they have recorded 1 win and 2 defeats, and their overall recent form is poor — in the last five matches Forest have recorded 0 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats. Postecoglou will be tasked with finding ways to increase his side’s goal threat and to improve defensive stability ahead of this fixture at the City Ground.
Chelsea FC team news!
Under Enzo Maresca, Chelsea are performing more positively and occupy 7th in the table with 11 points from 3 wins, 2 draws and 2 defeats, and a goals tally of 13:9. Their away record of 1 win, 1 draw and 1 defeat demonstrates reasonable resilience on the road. Chelsea’s last five matches show an encouraging return of 3 wins and 2 defeats, indicating a squad that can impose its game when cohesive. Injury specifics and starting XI rotations will influence the final outcome, but overall Chelsea enter the contest as the side with better attacking credentials and current momentum.
H2H statistics
Head-to-head (last 5 meetings, all competitions): Nottingham Forest 1 win, 2 draws, 2 Chelsea wins. The most recent head-to-head ended in a 1-0 away win for Chelsea. Historical balance suggests competitive fixtures between the clubs, yet recent form and scoring rates tip the balance in Chelsea’s favour for this meeting.
Last results Nottingham Forest
In their last five matches across competitions Nottingham Forest have recorded 0 wins, 2 draws and 3 defeats. Their current form is fragile and they enter this fixture off a 0-2 away loss to Newcastle United, underlining their defensive concerns and lack of offensive output in recent weeks.
Last results Chelsea FC
Chelsea’s last five matches show 3 wins and 2 defeats, reflecting a positive run of form. They arrive from a 2-1 home victory over Liverpool, a result that should bolster confidence and suggest Enzo Maresca’s side can perform in high-stakes fixtures and grind out narrow victories.
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Conclusion
On balance, Chelsea are the favourites for this Matchday 8 fixture at the City Ground. Their superior form in recent matches, higher goals scored tally and relative consistency away from home make them the more likely side to collect three points. However, Nottingham Forest’s home setting and the unpredictability of Premier League fixtures create scope for a close contest. The recommended approach blends an outright prediction with conservative, complementary markets: main tip Chelsea to win (DNB), combined with Under 2.5 goals as secondary selections, and a value correct-score forecast of 1-1 should bettors favour a cautious outcome.
