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The New Year’s Day action continues this afternoon with the first Premier League meeting between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea since the turn of the century.
Graham Potter’s Blues enjoyed a solid final week of what was a fairly difficult calendar year, which left them ninth in the table and a whole eight points off the Champions League places and even behind neighbours Fulham. A rampant injury crisis has hit Chelsea particularly hard of late but they did at least end 2022 with a solid win over Bournemouth as the club plots a long-term path back to the top following a damaging run of three straight defeats before the World Cup break.
Forest, meanwhile, have only lost one of their last five in all competitions but remain lodged in the relegation zone having scored the second-fewest goals in the entire Premier League so far this term. Follow Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea live below, featuring expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella at the City Ground.
Live updates
Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea prediction
Forest have conjured some fine performances at home against the big boys and will rally in front of a packed house today, but Chelsea have renewed confidence and can be trusted to secure a narrow victory.
Chelsea to win, 1-0.
Chelsea team news
Chelsea had Reece James back in the starting lineup in their much-needed 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Tuesday, yet he suffered a cruel setback early in the second half and is now set for another month on the sidelines.
Wesley Fofana and N’Golo Kante are still out, along with long-term absentee Armando Broja.
Ben Chilwell and Ruben Loftus-Cheek are likely to remain sidelined too today along with goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, who has a shoulder issue suffered at the World Cup with Senegal.
However, Graham Potter should at least be boosted by the respective returns of Mateo Kovacic and Hakim Ziyech, both now back in the fold after their respective exploits in Qatar.
Nottingham Forest team news
Forest boss Steve Cooper is still dealing with an extensive injury list, with the likes of Giulian Biancone, Omar Richards, Cheikhou Kouyate and Moussa Niakhate all still sidelined.
Jesse Lingard faces a late fitness test after a knock that forced him to limp out of the 3-0 defeat by former employers Manchester United on Tuesday night, while club-record signing Morgan Gibbs-White is also set to miss out.
But Dean Henderson is poised to return in goal this afternoon after missing out against his parent club at Old Trafford.
Where to watch Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea
TV channel: In the UK, today’s match will be televised live on Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event, with coverage starting at 4pm GMT – after Tottenham’s meeting with Aston Villa.
Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the game live online via the Sky go app.
Welcome to Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea LIVE coverage!
Hello and welcome!
Nottingham Forest and Chelsea face off in today’s second Premier League game!
Headlining the New Year’s Day action, the two clubs endured rather different times in 2022 with Forest ending a long wait to return to the top-flight for exactly these kind of days.
Chelsea, meanwhile, stagnated somewhat and are searching for a renewed sense of hope under Graham Potter.
Keep it with Standard Sport for all your build-up, match action and reaction, with expert analysis from Nizaar Kinsella.
Kick-off at the City Ground is pencilled in for 4.30pm GMT.
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