Chelsea eyeing three-game winning run at City ground.
Nottingham vs Chelsea kicks off at 12:30 [GMT+1] on Saturday, October 18, at City Ground.
Nottingham Forest will welcome Chelsea to City Ground in a Premier League clash that carries weight for both sides looking to find form and consistency. Forest are desperate to end their recent slump, one that leaves them in 17th place after picking up only one point in the last five PL games. Nottingham Forest’s record against Chelsea doesn’t inspire much confidence—they have won just one of their last eight Premier League meetings with the London club (D3 L4). That sole victory came in September 2023, when they stunned the Blues 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. However, history suggests this fixture has largely gone Chelsea’s way, especially in Nottingham. d. Form remains a concern for new Forest boss Ange Postecoglou. His side has lost four of their last five Premier League matches [LLDLL] and failed to score in each of those defeats. Their attacking struggles are now a serious issue — Forest could go three straight league games without scoring for the first time since April 1999. Even their home form has dipped alarmingly; after previously making the City Ground a fortress, the Tricky Trees have now lost five of their last seven league games on home soil (W1 D1). Another defeat would mark their first run of three straight home losses since December 2023. Ange Postecoglou, who is under pressure, would be keen to avoid that situation when he deploys the 4—3—3 formation with Ndoye, Chris Wood, and Morgan Gibbs-White in attack.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have their own inconsistencies to iron out despite an elevating 2-1 victory over Liverpool. The Blues moved into 7th place, having ended a three-game winless run [WDLLW]. However, despite flashes of improvement under Enzo Maresca, they’ve only managed three wins from their last 14 Premier League away games (D4 L7). Worryingly, just 27% of their total points in 2025 have come on the road (12 of 45) — the lowest away return of any club to have featured in the Premier League throughout this period. Still, Chelsea’s recent record against Forest gives them reason for optimism. The Blues have won three of their last four league visits to the City Ground (D1), including their last two in succession. Never before have they managed three consecutive away league wins over Forest, a record they’ll be aiming to break this weekend when they visit Nottingham. With both sides searching for consistency, this fixture promises intensity. João Pedro will return at the attacking end of Enzo Maresca’s 3—4—2—1 formation.