AliousMerson and Sutton Clash Over High-Stakes Chelsea vs Forest Showdown as Champions League Race Reaches Boiling Point
The Premier League’s final day promises fireworks as Nottingham Forest prepare to host Chelsea in a dramatic face-off with Champions League hopes hanging in the balance.
With five teams still vying for coveted top-five finishes, both Forest and Chelsea are eyeing a final push at the City Ground. While Liverpool and Arsenal have already clinched Champions League qualification, the rest of the pack—including these two sides—must fight tooth and nail on Sunday.
For Chelsea, the mission is crystal clear: win, and they secure a top-five spot. Yet concerns linger. Defender Levi Colwill has expressed caution over Forest’s formidable counter-attacking threat, a hallmark of their impressive campaign. That said, Forest’s own need to win could leave gaps at the back—an opportunity Chelsea might exploit.
Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo is banking on the power of home support, citing the electrifying City Ground atmosphere as their edge.
However, pundits Paul Merson and Chris Sutton can’t see eye to eye on how the match will unfold.
Merson, a Chelsea loyalist, forecasts defeat for the Blues, citing their abysmal away record against top-eight teams. “I just can’t see Chelsea winning this one,” he told *Sportskeeda*. “They’ve been poor away from home and Forest’s form could carry them to a 1-0 win—though even that might not be enough for top-five depending on other results.”
Conversely, Sutton foresees a frustrating 1-1 draw that could leave both clubs short of their goal. “The crowd will be buzzing, but Forest haven’t capitalized on home advantage recently,” he told *BBC Sport*. “Chelsea need the win just as much, but I think this ends in a stalemate, just like their previous clash in October.”
Anthony Taylor has been appointed referee for this tense encounter, with Chelsea’s mixed fortunes under him adding yet another variable.
Despite Chelsea’s rough road record—only one away league win in 2025—their fate remains in their own hands. All eyes will be on the City Ground, but fans and players alike will be glued to live updates from around the league. The pressure is immense, the stakes monumental, and for Maresca, a Champions League finish would cap an encouraging debut season.
The only certainty? Drama is guaranteed.
Alious
