Oct 16, 2025, 11:23 AM
Open Extended Reactions
Chelsea are back in Premier League action after the international break, with a trip to the City Ground to face struggling Nottingham Forest, in Saturday's early kickoff.
Enzo Maresca's side built some much needed momentum before the international break by beating Liverpool 2-1 at Stamford Bridge, after two consecutive Premier League losses against Brighton and Manchester United before that. Estêvão's late winner in that game sent Stamford Bridge into raptures, and it is that momentum Chelsea will look to keep up, despite the international break perhaps arriving at the wrong time for them.
On the other hand, the international break came at exactly the right moment for Forest and Ange Postecoglou. The Australian has not won any of his seven games in charge of Forest so far, having lost five and drawn two of so far.
There was speculation during that international break that Postecoglou could be sacked but he remains in charge of Forest, as they look to turn their season around, following a horrid September,
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the game.
How to watch:
The match will be shown on TNT Sports in the U.K., Peacock in the United States, Stan Sport in Australia, and JioHotstar in India. You can also follow ESPN's live updates.
Key Details:
Date: Saturday, October 18, 12:30 p.m. BST (7:30 a.m. ET; 5 p.m. IST and 10:30 p.m. AEDT).
Venue: City Ground, Nottingham
Referee: Chris Kavanagh
VAR: Peter Bankes
Team news:
Nottingham Forest
Ola Aina, D: hamstring, OUT, est. return early January
Oleksandr Zinchenko, D: muscle, DOUBT
Douglas Luiz, M: hamstring, DOUBT
Chelsea
Enzo Fernandez, M: knee, DOUBT
Reece James, D: muscle, DOUBT
Andrey Santos, M: knock, OUT
Trevor Chalobah, D: Suspended, OUT
Cole Palmer, F: groin, OUT, est. return mid-Oct
Dário Essugo, M: thigh, OUT, est. return late-Nov
Liam Delap, F: hamstring, OUT, est. return mid-Nov
Levi Colwill, D: ACL, OUT, est. late-Apr
Tosin Adarabioyo, D: calf, OUT, est. return mid-Oct
Expected Lineups:
Nottingham Forest (3-4-2-1)
GK:Matz Sels
CB:Jair Cunha | CB:Nikola Milenkovic | CB:Murillo
RWB:Nicolo Savona | CM:Ryan Yates | CM:Elliot Anderson | LWB:Neco Williams
AM:Morgan Gibbs-White | AM:Dan Ndoye
CF:Chris Wood
Chelsea (4-2-3-1)
GK:Robert Sánchez
RB: Malo Gusto | CB:Trevoh Chalobah | CB:Benoît Badiashile | LB:Marc Cucurella
CM:Romeo Lavia | CM:Moises Caicedo
RW:Estêvão | CAM: Joao Pedro | LW: Pedro Neto
CF:Alejandro Garnacho
Stats:
Nottingham Forest have won just one of their last eight Premier League meetings with Chelsea.
Ange Postecoglou has lost all four of his Premier League meetings with Chelsea.
Chelsea have won three of their last four Premier League away games against Nottingham Forest.
Nottingham Forest have lost five of their last seven Premier League home games, as many losses as in their previous 22 games at the City Ground before that.
Chelsea have won just three of their last 14 away games in the Premier League.
Four of Chelsea's eight away goals in the Premier League this season have been scored from corners.
Latest news and analysis:
Chelsea boss Maresca handed one-game ban for Liverpool red card
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has been given a one-match touchline ban after his sending-off against Liverpool on Oct. 4.
How 'Little Messi' Estêvão rose from Palmeiras to Chelsea
Even by the lofty standards of Brazilian wonderkids, the hype around Chelsea's 18-year-old forward Estêvão has officially hit overdrive.
Under-pressure Forest boss Ange Postecoglou: 'I love a fight'
Ange Postecoglou came out fighting as speculation over his future at Nottingham Forest intensified after a 2-0 Premier League defeat at Newcastle.
Premier League big issues: Will Amorim, Ange last?
With four Premier League matchdays scheduled before the November international break, what are the big issues that could come to a head over the next month?