It’s been a pair weeks since Chelsea final performed within the league, and in that point, we’ve fallen from an already disappointing place to a completely unpleasant one. In fact, it’s a little bit of a bunfight in the course of the desk: 4 factors separated positions six by means of twelve at the beginning of the weekend. ’s defeat implies that it’s at present in sixth after their 3-0 win over earlier immediately. However we will transfer again as much as seventh with a win, only one level behind the Cherries with three video games to go.
As a way to that, we must do one thing we haven’t achieved in two months: win a Premier League recreation! Since our 4-1 win at Villa Park at the beginning of March, we’ve misplaced 5 in a row — plus one other two within the Champions League. We do have three wins on this span, however all within the FA Cup, together with final weekend’s semifinal win in opposition to .
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That was Calum McFarlane’s first win as interim-again head coach. It wasn’t spectacular, nevertheless it was vital. And hopefully the beginning of a greater run of outcomes to complete out this season.
Date / Time: Monday, Could 4, 2026, 15.00 BST; 10am EDT; 7:30pm ISTVenue: Stamford Bridge, SW6Referee: Anthony Taylor (on pitch); James Bell (VAR)Forecast: slight probability of rain
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Chelsea crew information: and have returned to full coaching this week and should even be in competition to make Monday’s matchday squad, although the membership are cautious of pushing an excessive amount of too quickly, understandably. Colwill has been out all season rehabbing his ACL, whereas the worry with James is that this harm might begin one other collection of accidents. He’s managed to remain wholesome and match for a lot of the season because of cautious workload administration, after a number of years of fixed accidents.
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That stated, we’re a greater crew when these two are match, so hopefully they get an opportunity to make an affect in some unspecified time in the future nonetheless this season (like, say, the FA Cup ultimate).
There aren’t any different harm information of word, which implies that McFarlane has loads of choices to select from. Final weekend, he received the crew to play a bit extra coherent and cohesive soccer than we’ve seen just lately, making some tactical selections to place particular person gamers below much less strain — reminiscent of permitting to go lengthy — and even managing to maintain a clear sheet. We didn’t create an excessive amount of, however we have been in a position to return to fundamentals and do a few of these fundamentals pretty properly. Low bar, I do know, however no less than we cleared it.
crew information: Forest have been on a terrific run, they usually’re now unbeaten in 9 in all competitions after their 1-0 win over midweek within the Europa League semifinals. Regardless of that glorious run, they’re not totally protected for subsequent season, and are solely three factors away from within the ultimate relegation spot. ( are sadly now one level clear, following their 2-1 win at Villa Park on Sunday.)
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Forest have crafted this nine-match unbeaten run on the again of excellent defending, protecting 5 clear sheets within the course of. They’ve one of many higher defensive information within the decrease half of the desk — they’ve conceded the identical variety of objectives as we’ve, 45. They’ve additionally put 5 previous and 4 previous in current weeks nonetheless, with particularly in nice kind; he’s received seven objectives in his final seven Premier League video games (and 16 for the season in all competitions, a brand new profession excessive).
Supervisor Vítor Pereira has a number of harm considerations in his squad, together with to former Chelsea gamers and . CHO has been dominated out; Aina is going through a late health check, alongside , Ibrahim Sangaré, Jair Cunha, and most significantly, key heart again . , Nicolò Savona, and backup goalkeeper are additionally out.
Beforehand: We’ve received three of our final 4 in opposition to Forest, together with a 3-0 win on the Metropolis Floor in October. That will show the ultimate straw for supervisor Ange Postecoglou, fired simply 18 minutes after the ultimate whistle. Ouch.