Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Match Preview and Predictions

Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest: Match Preview and Predictions

Chelsea take on Championship side Nottingham Forest on Wednesday in their first game of the League Cup. The Blues exited the competition last season in the fourth round at the hands of West Ham United, and will hope that they can push for a much better run this time round.

Chelsea are usually a force to be reckoned with in the League Cup, and have won the competition on five occasions in the past. They are expected to make a few changes to their line-up for the game, and could see forward Eden Hazard start and gain some much needed playing time.

Nottingham Forest narrowly avoided relegation from the Championship last season, doing so in dramatic style against Ipswich on the final day of the season, but the Reds look a changed side this season under manager Mark Warburton. They have struggled for consistency, but they have come up with some big results so far during this campaign.

As previously mentioned, Chelsea are expected to start with forward Eden Hazard, who has been subject to short and sweet appearances so far as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Charly Musonda could also be set to start for Antonio Conte’s side, with the Blues likely to give a number of youth players a chance. They will however be without winger Pedro, as well as new signing Danny Drinkwater who is still yet to make his debut since signing from Leicester on deadline day. Defender David Luiz is suspended after his red card against Arsenal on Sunday.

Predicted XI

Caballero

Rudiger – Christensen – Cahill

Moses – Bakayoko – Fabregas – Kenedy

Musonda – Batshuayi – Hazard