**Date:** Sunday 25th May 2025
**Venue**: The City Ground
**Kick-off:** 16:00 BST
Here we are then, at long last, the final day of what has been an eyesore of a season is upon us as we travel to the City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest. We come into today’s game off the back of a 1-0 win against Manchester United, whilst Forest also enjoyed a win in their last game, against West Ham.
We could cross our fingers Villa or Newcastle lose today and we get a point, but realistically, nothing less than a win will really be enough, which is a bit awkward given away points have been rarer than hen’s teeth for us, with just one win from our last ten away, and we are without a win in the last three seasons we have finished away from home. We’ll also have an eye on the Conference final in a few days, so there’s plenty stacked again us but its our own fault for some of the awful performances and results during the season that we didn’t get things put to bed when we had the chance to.
**MANAGER’S VIEWS**
Going into today’s game, Nottingham Forest manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, says _“Nothing changes. One thing we are enjoying is preparing for a big match, so why not enjoy it? Everyone is enjoying it here. In a game like this, with motivation you just don’t have to worry about that. It is already there. Players are on fire to play the game so the message is to stick to the task. Recognise it is a tough team to play against and enjoy and play the game like we always do._
_The City Ground will help us. They have been doing so since the start of the season and last season, helping us a lot. Hopefully, it stays an enjoyable day for everyone. Chelsea are a good team, with good players and talented squad. It is a decisive game for everyone.”_
Enzo Maresca, meanwhile, says _“When you join Chelsea, you feel the pressure from day one. You don’t need to play this kind of game to feel more pressure or less pressure. It’s a club where you need to win games and we have won many this season, but we need one more and it’s the most important one._
_At this stage of the season there is pressure on all the clubs involved. Probably the expectation weighs more heavily on our players than the Forest players, but if their players don’t feel pressure, it’s not something I’m worried about. I’m worried about our team and how we can win the game.”_
**SQUAD NEWS**
For Nottingham Forest, Taiwo Awoniyi (abdominal) is out and Murillo will be assessed. Callum Hudson-Odoi could return to the starting line-up.
For Chelsea, Omari Kellyman (hamstring) and Wesley Fofana (thigh) are injured. Mykhaylo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson are suspended. Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are both available
**TEAMS**
NOTTINGHAM FOREST (Possible line-up): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Dominguez, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Neto, Nkunku
**LAST SEASON**
Nottingham Forest 2-3 Chelsea (11 May 2024)
**CURRENT FORM (PL)**
NOTTINGHAM FOREST: LWLDDW
CHELSEA: DWWWLW
**OTHER STUFF**
* This will be the 100th fixture between the clubs in all competitions
* Nottingham Forest have not beat Chelsea at home since 1997.
* Nottingham Forest’s only win in the past 12 meetings in league and cup came at Stamford Bridge in September 2023.
* Nottingham Forest have won 19 Premier League games this season.
* This is Nottingham Forest’s most successful Premier League campaign since ending third in 1994-95.
* Nottingham Forest are vying to win consecutive top-flight games for the second time since January.
* Nottingham Forest have scored the opening goal in 25 Premier League games this season.
* Chelsea have taken just six points from a the last possible 30 on the road.
* Chelsea have lost their final league match in two of the past 13 campaigns
* Chelsea are without a win in the last three seasons they have finished away from home.
**PREDICTION**
Sportsmole: Nottingham Forest 1-1 Chelsea