Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea Predictions: 18.10.2025 - Premier League Betting Tips

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea

Nottingham Forest welcome Chelsea to the City Ground for this week's Premier League early kick-off on Saturday. With an immense amount of pressure on Ange Postecoglou to win his first match, the hosts must start winning games if they are to avoid a relegation scrap this campaign.

Nathan Joyes talks you through this intriguing encounter.

Can Forest win?

Ange Postecoglou has overseen seven matches since his appointment and has yet to lead his team to a single victory. After two draws and five defeats, not many expected the Greek to still be in charge after the international break.

But the Greek upstairs has yet to press the panic button on his new manager just yet - but one more condemning defeat could prove costly.

After suffering three defeats in a row, the international break may have come at a good time for Forest. Postecoglou will have no excuses after spending two weeks with the core of his squad - and fans will be demanding a reaction.

But will it come against the outside title contenders?

Chelsea's casualties a concern

Where Forest will have hope is down to the fact Chelsea have plenty of key players out of this fixture. Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Andrey Santos, Liam Delap and perhaps above all, Cole Palmer, are all injured.

Worryingly, Chelsea's two starting centre-backs against Liverpool - Benoit Badiashile and Josh Acheampong - were both subbed off due to picking up knocks. Who Enzo Maresca will be able to field at the back is anyone's guess.

But at the other end of the pitch Chelsea are capable of ripping Forest apart. Moises Caicedo is almost unstoppable in the middle of the park, while both Joao Pedro and Estevao are fit and ready to grace the City Ground pitch on Saturday.

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea H2H

Chelsea have won two of the last five meetings with Nottingham Forest, including a narrow 1-0 win on the final day of last season to secure Champions League football. Forest did beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge back in 2023, but the Reds haven't beaten them on home soil since 1997.

Our Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea betting tip

With Postecoglou hanging onto his job by a thread and with Chelsea's lack of fit defenders, the opening match of the Premier League weekend could be a belter. Let’s look at the Premier League betting odds.

Defences to be tested

Without a clean sheet in seven attempts, Forest (11/4 with Betfred) are still very much adjusting to their new style of play under Postecoglou - but for how much longer remains to be seen.

Forest have conceded 15 goals within those matches - including three against Midtjylland in their opening home Europa League game. It has been nothing short of chaos under for the former Spurs boss and fans don't appear confident that he can turn things around.

Maresca has his own concerns. Although heading into this match on the back of a 2-1 last gasp win vs the champions, he's incredibly short defensively - and patching his back four together looks like a difficult task.

But going forward, there's little concern. Chelsea (10/11 with Betano) have scored in all but one of their fixtures this season, including at least two in five of those games. Forest's new style will open up the match - and Chelsea can look to make them pay.

TIP: Over 2.5 goals at 8/11 with BetMGM.

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