Nottingham Forest v Chelsea: Premier League Monday preview

The final round of games of the Premier League season take place in the early hours of Monday morning and the battle for UEFA Champions League places takes centre stage.

Liverpool ran away with the title race to be crowned champions, while Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton will all be heading straight back down to the Championship.

Arsenal will definitely join the Reds in the UEFA Champions League next season, leaving Manchester City, Newcastle United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Forest fighting for the three remaining places.

The Citizens hold a two-point advantage over the Magpies, Blues and Villans, with Forest a further point back.

City head to Fulham on the final day, Newcastle play host to Everton and Villa take on Manchester United at Old Trafford, while Forest welcome Chelsea to the City Ground for an absolute crunch clash.

Nottingham Forest v Chelsea betting preview

Nuno fully focused on Forest

Tricky Trees head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has been linked with several clubs across Europe in the build-up to this game, but has swatted away such talk and insists he and his players are focused solely to trying to beat the Blues.

The Portuguese has one major injury issue for the City Ground finale, with central defender Murillo a doubt due to the twisted ankle he sustained in the crucial 2-1 win over West Ham last time out - Morato is the most likely replacement.

That victory at the London Stadium was essential after a run of three league games without a win dented UEFA Champions League hopes severely and Nuno will be only too aware that his side simply have to go for the win on Monday.

Chris Wood was on target when Forest and Chelsea shared the spoils for a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge earlier this season and the New Zealand striker will be key again on Monday, having enjoyed a superb campaign which has seen him score 20 Premier League goals, as well as nine for his country.

The 33-year-old All Whites ace is 2.60 to score at anytime against the UEFA Conference League finalists, while Forest are available at 12.00 to secure a 2-1 victory and are 5.00 to triumph by a one-goal margin.

Blues find form at right time

Chelsea arrive on the back of four wins from their last five league games, including a 3-1 victory over champions Liverpool, but their form on the road remains decidedly sketchy.

They have claimed just one away win in the Premier League since a thrilling 4-3 success at Tottenham in early December and are clearly far from their best away from their Stamford Bridge home.

Head coach Enzo Maresca at least had some good news on the injury front in the build-up to this crucial showdown, with strikers Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu set to be available, providing options to replace the still suspended Nicolas Jackson.

England forward Jadon Sancho is also back in the fold after having to sit out the 1-0 home win over Manchester United due to the terms of his loan, so Maresca has choices to make.

He will, of course, be hoping his side can be inspired by Cole Palmer, with the England attacking midfielder having been a huge success since his arrival from Man City in the summer of 2023.

The 23-year-old has scored 37 goals in 69 Premier League appearances for the Blues, although he has netted just once in his last 15 league outings and that came from the penalty spot in the win over Liverpool.

Former Leicester boss Maresca will hope to see Palmer strike when it really matters and the cultured left-footer is 2.25 to score at anytime at the City Ground, while he is 4.00 to provide an assist.

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Nottingham Forest v Chelsea odds

Nottingham Forest - 3.00
Draw - 3.75
Chelsea - 2.20

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.