On Saturday, at 15:00, Chelsea receives Stamford Bridge’s visit to Nottingham Forest in England’s 3 rd round. The guests are on the wave after defeating the leader of the second division, Leeds United (4-2), and manager David Karanka relies on a new vigorous performance of his students. Costel Pantilimon could be just a reserve in London.
Pantilimon is in Nottingham’s goal in the championship matches, but the second league is very tough, the busy schedule, and Karanka is trying to keep his new owners in the fight for play-off. Nottingham is in a good position right now, but the English press writes that the Iberian manager’s job is seriously shaking, so the white-red must also produce a good performance in the Cup.
Chelsea will line up more reserves at the start, as Maurizio Sarri used us this season in the “Secondary” (League Cup). Even so, Chelsea has high value reserves and even if we see Zappacosta, Emerson, Christiansen, Loftus-Cheek or Fabregas on the field, we do not have to let ourselves be fooled: the white-blue passport will flow perfectly! Nottingham will try to hit the counter, with a lot of good physical and technical players like Cash or Colback in the middle line. Guests will be motivated for a good result in Round 3 of the English Cup but will not have possession.
The two bands met 5 times in the last 20 years and 4 times I saw high scores with at least three scored goals, with Chelsea winning each time: 5-1, 3-0, 3-1 and 2-1. Nottingham has scored 7 goals in the last 4 games and the championship has nothing to do overnight for the Stamford Bridge game. Chelsea knows how to close their opponents well and has won 4 of the last 5 official matches, all at the difference of one goal!
Forest is likely to be a difficult team on Saturday. Nottingham is ranked 7th in the Championship (39-29 Golaveraj) and has one of the best attacks in the championship, especially in trips. Chelesa is in 4th place in the Premier League and aims to defend a position that leads in the next season by the UEFA Champions League.
PREDICTION: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.53
