Nottingham Forest need results to go their way but could squeeze themselves into the top five

Nottingham Forest need results to go their way but could squeeze themselves into the top five against a fellow competitor for UEFA Champions League qualification, Chelsea.

Nottingham Forest preview: Good season no matter what

Nottingham Forest have wobbled in the last couple of months, in both the Premier League and the FA Cup, but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have pushed back towards the UEFA Champions League spots after a 2-1 defeat of West Ham United at the London Stadium last weekend.

Forest took the lead in the 11th minute via England international midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White before Serbia international defender Nikola Milenkovic made it 2-0 mid-way through the second-half with Jarrod Bowen then scoring a late consolation for the Hammers.

Chelsea preview: Unconvincing Blues

Chelsea head into the UEFA Europa Conference League final in Wroclaw in Poland in a few days when the Blues take on Real Betis but their first and foremost priority throughout the season has been claiming a top five spot and UEFA Champions League qualification this year.

The Blues recovered from a recent 2-0 loss to Newcastle United at St James’ Park a couple of weeks ago to edge past a poor Manchester United by a goal to nil at Stamford Bridge last weekend thanks to a second-half strike from Spain international defender Marc Cucurella.

Nottingham Forest team news: Murillo a doubt

Key centre-back Murillo is a bit of a doubt for Forest this weekend after an injury sustained against West Ham. Taiwo Awoniyi remains unavailable, whilst Nuno Espírito Santo has said that there is other team news but didn’t expand any further on that.

Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare; Dominguez, Anderson; Gibbs-White; Wood, Elanga.

Chelsea team news: Sancho returns but Jackson still suspended

Chelsea will have both Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu available for this weekend, as well as Jadon Sancho – who missed last week against his parent club. However, they do remain without Nicolas Jackson, who is missing through suspension.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; James, Adarabioyo, Colwill, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Madueke; George.