Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea predictions, odds and betting tips

May 25, 2025
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Nottingham Forest have one last chance to get into the Champions League when they host Chelsea on the final day of the season at the City Ground.

The Tricky Trees need the win and results elsewhere to help them out. For Chelsea, it’s a simple equation – win and they are back in the Champions League next season. No pressure!

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea best bets

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea odds

Find the latest Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea predictions

Nottingham Forest have hit a dip in form at precisely the wrong time of the season. The Tricky Trees have managed just two wins in their last seven Premier League outings and were knocked out of the FA Cup in the semi-finals following a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Still, it’s not all doom and gloom. A recent 2-2 draw with Leicester secured European football for Forest next season. While that result may not have satisfied owner Evangelos Marinakis, it remains a commendable achievement for Nuno Espírito Santo and his squad.

That said, the owner’s frustration is understandable. Dropping two points against Leicester could ultimately be what costs Forest a Champions League place. At the start of the campaign, a finish in sixth or seventh would have been welcomed by anyone at the club. But after spending much of 2025 in the top three, the late-season slump has been a bitter pill to swallow.

Sunday offers Forest one last opportunity to end the season on a high. A win over Chelsea may not be enough for a top-five finish, but it would round off a strong campaign – and might just lift the owner’s spirits.

As for Chelsea, their task is simple: win, and a Champions League place is almost certainly theirs. Even with Manchester United’s poor form, it’s hard to imagine them conceding the 13 or 14 goals Aston Villa would need to leapfrog the Blues on goal difference.

However, the City Ground is a far from ideal venue for Chelsea to chase three points. Their away form in 2025 has been patchy, though recent results have offered some encouragement, including a draw at Brentford and a 2-1 victory at Fulham.

Overall, Chelsea have finished the season strongly, winning four of their last five and losing just once in their last eight. That defeat – a 2-0 loss at top-five rivals Newcastle – was costly.

Their late resurgence may prove too little, too late. And while the club has publicly backed Enzo Maresca, a failure to secure Champions League football could still leave his future in doubt if the hierarchy has second thoughts.

Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea betting tips

It’s not quite a winner-takes-all match, but it’s as close as you can get. Who will come out on top and secure a Champions League place for next season? Or are both teams set to miss out? Our Forest vs Chelsea match betting tips follow:

Nottingham Forest to win or draw

Nottingham Forest are winless in their last three home Premier League matches, having suffered defeats to Everton (1-0) and Brentford (2-0), along with a 2-2 draw against Leicester.

However, the City Ground has generally been a fortress this season – Forest have lost just four of their 18 home league games.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have a mixed away record, with seven wins, four draws, and seven losses, earning 25 points from a possible 54 on the road.

That form has dipped significantly in 2025. Since the turn of the year, Enzo Maresca’s side have managed just one win and five points away from Stamford Bridge.

⚽ Back Nottingham Forest to win or draw at 4/6 with Betfred ⚽

Over 2.5 goals and BTTS

Nottingham Forest are going to have to win this match to have any chance of qualifying for the Champions League, while Chelsea know the win takes them through, barring something outrageous happening elsewhere.

Both teams are probably more accustomed to sitting back and soaking up pressure, but at least one, possibly both, are going to have to go for it in this match.

With both teams slightly out of their comfort zones (less so Chelsea) and needing the win, there are set to be goals at both ends.

⚽Back over 2.5 goals and yes in both teams to score at 10/11 with bet365 ⚽

Chris Wood to score anytime

If Nottingham Forest are to beat Chelsea and keep their Champions League hopes alive, they’ll likely need Chris Wood to rediscover his early-season goalscoring form.

The 20-goal striker ended a four-match goal drought at the City Ground with Forest’s second in the recent 2-2 draw against Leicester. Buoyed by a Player of the Season nomination, Wood will be full of confidence – and could play a decisive role on Sunday.

⚽ Back Chris Wood to score anytime at 7/4 with Paddy Power ⚽

📺 How to watch Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea

Location: City Ground, Nottingham, England.
Date and time: Sunday 25th May, 4pm BST.
How to watch: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.

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