Nottingham Forest’s blockbuster clash with Chelsea on Sunday is the biggest of the Premier League weekend, with major ramifications for the remaining three Champions League spots.
Last Sunday’s win over West Ham has given Nuno Espírito Santo’s side hope in the Champions League race, but only a win will do at the City Ground to keep the hopes alive.
Murillo may be injured for the Chelsea clash after not training all week, with the news from the blue corner a lot more positive, as Chelsea will welcome back Christopher Nkunku.
Either way, expect fireworks on Sunday, as Chris Sutton has given his opinion on how the game will pan out.
Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images
Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images
Chris Sutton predicts Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Roy Keane predicted a 2-1 Chelsea win for Sunday, while Gary Neville went for the same score but in Forest’s favour, showing how difficult the clash is to predict with so much at stake.
Sutton clearly recognises the tension, too, as he found predicting the Champions League shootout for BBC Sport very challenging.
He said: “What a game this is, and it’s a must-watch if you’re a neutral too. Nothing against my old club Chelsea, but I’d love to go with my heart and say Nottingham Forest will beat them and finish in the top five – it’s just I don’t think either of those things will happen.
MORE FOREST STORIES
“Chelsea are probably going to need a win too, to finish above Aston Villa and stay in the top five, but I can see this ending in the result neither team wants, which is a draw.
“That was the result when they met at Stamford Bridge in October, in a game that saw a thrilling finish with chances at both ends. I am expecting more of the same here, with both sides ending up disappointed.”
Settling on a 1-1 draw, Sutton is expecting both sides to leave the City Ground disappointed. However, he did reference the power of the home atmosphere, something Espírito Santo is hoping to tap into as well.
The City Ground could push Nottingham Forest over the line
Having such a crucial match at home should give Forest a massive boost, with Sutton recognising how the City Ground could play a role.
Sutton said: “The City Ground will be absolutely jumping, of course,” which is a very similar sentiment to what Espírito Santo expressed in his pre-match press conference.
Asked about what he wants it to be like on Sunday, Espirito Santo simply replied: “Noisy, noisy, noisy! The loudest, the best.”
It’s up to fans to channel that request from the Forest manager from the first to the last whistle against Chelsea, something they’ve managed countless times before.