Chelsea vs Nottingham prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2023-09-01 14:00.
The feel good factor may just be starting to return to Chelsea, who got their first win under Mauricio Pochettino over Luton last Friday (W 3-0). The victory was âfully deservedâ according to Pochettino, whoâll now be looking to guide the Blues to back-to-back Premier League (PL) home wins for the first time since October 2022 as they welcome Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge.
The transfer window will be shut come kick-off in the capital, giving Pochettino a clearer idea of the makeup of his expensively-assembled squad for this season. The reinvigorated Raheem Sterling may feel like a new signing at the Bridge, and Chelsea fans will be hoping he can keep the goals flowing as the Luton victory was just the fifth time in 2023 that the Blues have scored 2+ goals in a PL game. One of those games came in this corresponding clash last season, but Chelsea will undoubtedly be bidding to improve on the 2-2 draw of that day.
The fixture generator could hardly have been more cruel on Nottingham Forest, who gear up for a third away match against a member of the âbig sixâ after just four rounds! Theyâve done themselves justice on the previous two, losing both by a single-goal margin, although defeat at Manchester United was a painful one for the Forest faithful.
After becoming the quickest side in PL history to lead United 2-0, Steve Cooperâs men ultimately succumbed 3-2, with captain Joe Worrall sent off and the club furious at the awarding of the match-winning penalty. Although Cooper admits his players âgave everythingâ, he was still disappointed to come away empty-handed, even if his side look much better on the road than last termâs paltry eight-point haul away from the City Ground (W1, D5, L13) suggests.
Players to watch: Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson netted for the first time in his new colours against Luton, part of a run of 11 of his last 12 goals arriving on home soil. Opposite number Taiwo Awoniyi canât stop scoring – heâs the first player to score in seven consecutive PL games for Forest, and just the third African to ever achieve that feat.
Hot stat: Across 12 previous PL H2Hs, there has never been a penalty awarded to either side.