
The race for Europe concludes this weekend as Nottingham Forest welcome Chelsea to the City Ground. A win for Forest could see them sneak into the Champions League at the 11th hour if results go their way, while Chelsea may just need a point to secure their spot back in the UCL. We're in for a belter and I've backed it up with a strong bet to sign off the season in style.
Forest spent the vast majority of the season in the top four but form in recent weeks has dipped and they head into the final day in 7th spot. However, three points behind Man City in 3rd, it couldn't be tighter and neutrals are in for a treat on Sunday afternoon.
Is the dream all but over for Forest? Perhaps - especially relying on Manchester United to do them a favour - but the City Ground will be rocking, and Nuno Santo will have his team prepped and ready for one final push.
Their 2-1 win away to West Ham last week showed the squad isn't down and out just yet, and Chelsea's poor away form gives them hope.
It will be catastrophic for Chelsea to fail on Sunday. The investment combined with the position they've found themselves in heading into round 38, it is very much their situation to lose at this stage.
However, their away form in the Premier League is nothing to shout about. With just one away win - which came in the last minute against Fulham - Enzo Maresca's job could potentially be on the line heading into this weekend. If they fall out of the Champions League places, he'll be the first to receive his P45.
Can they rally and withstand Forest to squeeze over the line? Chelsea fans will be wary.
Chelsea's chaotic 1-1 draw with Forest earlier in the season was their third draw since the Reds were promoted back to the Premier League. They beat Forest last season at the City Ground 3-2, but all three goalscorers that day won't be back in Nottingham.
That's because Mykhailo Mudryk remains suspended, Raheem Sterling is on loan at Arsenal while Nicholas Jackson - Chelsea's only recognisable no.9 - is suspended after his foolish red card against Newcastle.
Forest did beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge 1-0 back in 2023 thanks to Anthony Elanga's second half strike, and the Swede will be hoping to add to either his six Premier League goals or 11 assists on Sunday.
With so much on the line, this game between Forest and Chelsea may provide us with plenty of action - which has helped me piece together a tasty looking bet builder. Let's dive straight into it.
There's three parts to my bet builder. The first: Enzo Fernandez to be carded.
The Argentine has picked up eight yellow cards in the Premier League this season, and although he's only picked up one from his last five, he's going to be in the thick of the action on Sunday. Operating in the centre of midfield, the 24-year-old can be known to lose his cool - and if things don't go his way - or if Chelsea have a lead to protect, expect Fernandez to take one for the team against Forest's quick counter attacks.
The second: Morgan Gibbs-White to be carded.
Forest's star player looks set to leave in the summer - and there's no way he's leaving the pitch without giving everything to the club. Known to lose his cool when the match isn't going his way - or if the referee doesn't side with him - the 25-year-old with 11 yellows can add another to his name.
And last of all: corners.
Ten of them - at least - to be exact. Forest must press and win the match - which could see them rack up their corner count, or it could see Chelsea counter and pick up a handful themselves. There's so much on the line, and if there's an early goal, expect the corners to flow.
After a stellar season for my columns, I've gone slightly rogue for this match. However, at 18/1 with bet365, this is too good to ignore and hopefully we can sign off in style. Good luck if you're following and thanks for reading this season.
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