Chelsea will be aiming to build on their victory last weekend when they host a tricky Nottingham Forest side at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
The Blues secured their first Premier League victory under Mauricio Pochettino last Friday after they defeated Luton Town 3-0 courtesy of a Raheem Sterling brace and Nicholas Jackson’s first competitive goal for Chelsea.
Prior that victory, they had drawn 1-all against Liverpool and lost 3-1 to West Ham in their first two games.
But on Saturday, they face a tricky Nottingham side who despite losing, caused problems to Arsenal and Manchester United in two of their first three games this season
Arsenal had to hold on to beat Forest 2-1 while United had to come from two goals down to beat them 3-2 after the Steve Cooper’s side had a man sent off.
Apart from those two losses, Forest won their other game 2-1 at City Ground against Sheffield United.
Chelsea sit 10th on the log with four points, while Forest are a point below in 14th.
Both these two sides had midweek games in the Carabao Cup. Chelsea made hard work of beating AFC Wimbledon 2-1 while Forest scrambled 1-0 to Burnley.
Team News.
Pochettino is expected to still be without Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Christopher Nkunku, Armando Broja and Carney Chukwuemeka, who are all still out with long-term injuries
Mykhailo Murdyk is expected to be back in action after having missed the club’s last two games. Sterling who received a rest in the midweek will also return to the team.
For Forest, they will be without Fellipe, Giulian Biancone, Wayne Hennessy and Omar Richards, who are all out with long-term injuries. Andrey Santos is also sidelined as he is ineligible to face Chelsea.
But new signings Gonzalo Montiel, Nuno Tavares and Murillo are expected to make their Premier League debuts for the club.
Key Stats
Chelsea have won six of their last seven home matches against Nottingham Forest, though, albeit five of those in cup competitions, and they have scored at least two goals on each occasion which bodes well for the Blues this weekend.
Forest have won just one of their last 14 away games against Chelsea in all competitions (D5 L8).
Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine meetings with Nottingham Forest in all competitions since a 2-0 loss in January 1997.
Last season, Forest held Chelsea to a pair of stalemates. They played to a 1-1 at the City Grounds before coming away from Stamford Bridge with a 2-2 draw to their name – but their abysmal road record now reads no wins from their last 12 top-flight games on rival turf, despite scoring in each of their last six such matches.
Sterling netted all three of Chelsea’s goals against Forest last season, while in-form Awoniyi helped himself to a brace the last time these sides met, back in May.
What was said by both managers
“I think all the players that are involved in the squad are in our plans. After, it’s a decision of the two parties – the club and the player. Conor [Gallagher] is a consistent player that can perform in different positions. We are so happy with him.” Pochettino said while addressing the media on if all players he currently has are in his plans
“With time, it’s a matter of time, we have the quality. We are going to perform in the way people expect from us.”
Steve Cooper had this to say: “It’s a unique start and after Chelsea it carries on. But we’ve got our heads round it and are thinking to attack as best we can. I don’t think we are far away from getting a positive result away from home.”
Probable Line-ups
Chelsea: Sanchez; Disasi, Colwill, Silva; Gusto, Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher, Chilwell; Sterling, Jackson
Nottingham: Turner; Boly, Niakhate, Worrall; Aurier, Danilo, Yates, Aina; Johnson, Gibbs-White; Awoniy
