Nottingham Forest host Chelsea on Saturday looking to turn their poor start to the season around with three points against Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
The City Ground side have lost three of their four games in all competitions so far this campaign, though these included narrow defeats to both Arsenal and Manchester United (throwing away a 2-0 lead in the latter) and there will be plenty of confidence taken from the performances.
Now, they play host to fellow ruthless recruiters Chelsea, who have endured a similarly mixed start to the season with a win, loss and draw in their opening three games.
Both sides will be eager to take advantage of the other’s poor form to grab an early advantage, and it should make for an entertaining encounter.
Here’s how we expect Forest to line up, and the latest Team News from Steve Cooper.
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Predicted XI
Team news
Joe Worrall will miss the clash with Chelsea after being sent off in the second half of the eventual defeat at Old Trafford, while defender Felipe is also still some way away from being match-fit.
As a result, Moussa Niakhate is likely to come back into the side if Cooper sticks with a back three, with the defender a second-half substitute against Manchester United.
Elsewhere, Gonzalo Montiel could be in line to make his Premier League debut at fullback after being handed a start against Burnley in midweek.
Speculation continues to swirl around Brennan Johnson amid a potential move to Tottenham, and should he end up leaving the club (or being deemed not in the right frame of mind to play) summer signing Anthony Elanga could be trusted to take his place after impressive cameos from the substitutes bench.
Fortunately, key duo Taiyo Awoniyi and Morgan Gibbs-White are both expected to be returned to the starting XI after being used from the substitutes bench against Burnley.
