It’s all to play for when Nottingham Forest host Chelsea this weekend on the final day of the Premier League season.
There are five clubs still competing to secure Champions League qualification on Sunday, and two of them, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, play against each other.
Premier League champions Liverpool, along with Arsenal, have secured a top-five finish to qualify for the Champions League. There is an enthralling battle behind them between a cluster of teams, though.
It’s quite a simple equation for the Blues. If they win at the City Ground, they will finish in the top five positions.
Blues defender Levi Colwill is wary of Nottingham Forest’s counter-attack, which has been such a key weapon for them in a brilliant campaign. However, Chelsea may benefit from Forest’s need to push for a win on the final day to secure Champions League football for themselves.
Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo claims the advantage against Chelsea will be playing at home in front of their own supporters.
Paul Merson and Chris Sutton predict Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
Paul Merson, who’s a Chelsea fan, is tipping his team to crash to defeat on the road against Forest
Merson told Sportskeeda: “I don’t see Chelsea winning this game. They have lost all their away games against the top eight teams this season. So far Chelsea to go to Nottingham Forest and get a win on the last day of the season is a big challenge in my opinion. Away from home, they haven’t been good enough.
The rather unfortunate thing here is that even if Forest win this game, they may not finish inside the top five! There is always plenty of drama on the final day of the season and I feel like this fixture could give us something similar. Forest could get the win, but I don’t expect other results to go in their favour in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
“Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Chelsea.”
Meanwhile, Chris Sutton disagrees because he’s predicted a score draw between Forest and Chelsea. Either way, it could result in both teams missing out on Champions League football if results go against them.
Sutton told BBC Sport: “Nothing against my old club Chelsea, but I’d love to go with my heart and say Nottingham Forest will beat them and finish in the top five – it’s just I don’t think either of those things will happen.
“The City Ground will be absolutely jumping, of course, but it was the same for Forest’s past three home league games, against Leicester, Brentford and Everton, and they only have one point to show for them – from their draw with the Foxes.
“Chelsea are probably going to need a win too, to finish above Aston Villa and stay in the top five, but I can see this ending in the result neither team wants, which is a draw. That was the result when they met at Stamford Bridge in October, in a game that saw a thrilling finish with chances at both ends. I am expecting more of the same here, with both sides ending up disappointed.
“Sutton’s prediction: 1-1.”
Anthony Taylor will referee Chelsea’s clash with Nottingham Forest, and the Blues’ record with him this season is mixed.
The most concern thing is that Enzo Maresca’s side only have one Premier League win away from home so far in 2025.
The key matches on the final day
Chelsea’s sole focus on Sunday afternoon must be collecting three points against a quality Forest side.
However, we’re sure that every supporter inside the City Ground will be aware of the live scores elsewhere because it impacts both clubs.
On paper, Chelsea may have the toughest final day fixture. It’s such a massive boost that their destiny is in their own hands, though.
If the Blues can land Champions League football, it should go down as a decent debut season for Maresca in the manager’s dugout.
