Nottingham vs Chelsea prediction: ENGLAND: Premier League betting tips on match 2022-12-31 16:30.
Steve Cooper will be hoping the start of a new year brings new fortunes to his Nottingham Forest side after they succumbed to a ninth defeat of the Premier League (PL) season last time out, as they were outclassed in a 3-0 loss at Manchester United. The Welshman now wants to see âmore beliefâ from his side as they take on another of Englandâs elite here.
Home comforts may be pivotal if Forest are to stay in the top flight, as theyâve won 11 of their 13 points so far at the City Ground (W3, D2, L3). The Tricky Trees are unbeaten in their last four PL matches on their own turf too (W2, D2), and theyâll need to extend that record if they are to escape the drop zone to kickstart 2023 thanks to their division-worst goal difference of -22.
Looking to worsen that total will be Chelsea, who returned to PL action in style when ending a five-match winless run by comfortably beating Bournemouth 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Graham Potter described the attitude of his players as âfantasticâ as they rediscovered the winning formula against newly-promoted opposition, and heâll be hoping they can repeat that act again against Forest.
Chelsea have faced off with Forest five times this century, despite their 23-year absence from the top flight, and the Blues have dominated, winning all five cup meetings and scoring 14 goals in the process. This fixture therefore comes at the perfect time as the Blues look to recover from their second-worst start to a season at this stage since 2001/02.
Players to watch: Taiwo Awoniyi returned to the Forest team last time out; two of his three PL goals this term have been matchwinners against sides from last seasonâs top seven. At the other end, Kai Havertz finding the target could be a good luck charm for Chelsea as theyâve lost just twice when the German has scored (W19, D3).
Hot streak: Chelsea havenât won their first PL game of a calendar year since 2016 (D4, L2 since).