Chelsea predictions vs. Nottingham Forest: Regular opponent, routine win

Chelsea welcome frequent cup opponent Nottingham Forest back to Stamford Bridge. Our writers predict a lot of rotation, an all-Blue result and maybe even a clean sheet. Hopeful.

Chelsea have faced Nottingham Forest four times in cup ties – all at Stamford Bridge – since the last time Nottingham Forest were relegated from the Premier League, apparently never to return. The combined score of those games is 12-1, and the Blues won’t have much excuse if they can’t add substantially to the left column while keeping the right column just where it is.

Olaoluwa Nwobodo: Chelsea 4 – 1 Nottingham Forest. Chelsea played this tie on the same date last year, and they won the match 2-0. The Blues have shown this season that they have enough about them to get by lower tier teams comfortably. Though they’ve been shaky in recent times defensively, there’s nothing to suggest that Chelsea will struggle in this game.

The transfer market is open. Many players will feel they have one more chance to make a case for themselves to play for Chelsea. Many players WILL have one last chance to make a case for themselves. It could also be one last chance to advertise them to prospective clubs. On that note, Ross Barkley brace, Pedro brace.

Nate Hofmann: 2 – 0. If Chelsea have any intention of improving their home form, this would be a good place to start. Nottingham are obviously a lower league side, but this won’t be the absolute walkover that Grimsby Town was back in September. It should be competitive enough to require some real effort, but Chelsea have enough fit players to field a relatively strong and well-rested side.

You would expect the likes of Tammy Abraham and Willian to be rested, with Michy Batshuyai and perhaps Callum Hudson-Odoi to slot in instead. Those names alone should be enough to power a victory, and an improving back line will hopefully earn a rare clean sheet as well.

Vansh Ambashta: 1 – 0. The Blues should be able to pull this one off with ease. Expect some rotation from Frank Lampard, and Callum Hudson-Odoi to score the winner.

Kevin Peacock: 3 – 1. Form at home… rubbish. Form against supposedly lesser opposition… rubbish. Form in the FA Cup in recent seasons… pretty good.

There are bound to be a few changes in the starting XI against Forest and those players, whoever they are, ought to be capable of beating the Championship side. However, there’s always the possibility of the “magic of the cup” putting a spanner in the works.

Of course I jest. Chelsea to win this one after recovering from the early setback of going a goal behind. Goals from Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Michy Batshuayi.

Barrett Rouen: 4 – 1. Feeling good about this one. The defense is still unacceptable, though, so that will happen.

Varun Dani: 3 – 0. It would be a shame if the boys somehow manage to squander this match after wearing that massively hyped up FA Cup kit. Luckily, Lampard will rotate his team and the players who fill in will get the job done. They’ll even get clean sheet, for crying out loud.

Scott Brant: 3 – 0. The Blues dominate with a lineup of players wanting to prove themselves. Should be a fun day for the kids, who should have a majority of the starting spots, but not all, since there’s nearly a full week until the next game.

Abhishek Pancholi: 5 – 0. Easy peasy, lemon squeazy. The kids get a run out, a few of them score and everyone keeps a clean sheet. You couldn’t ask for more.