Chelsea return to Premier League action with a trip to Nottingham Forest on October 18.
Nottingham Forest vs. Chelsea lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest with Palmer still out originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
kick off the return of the from the international break with a trip to on October 18.
The Blues signed off for the FIFA window with a superb late 2-1 win over defending champions at Stamford Bridge.
Estevao's first goal for the club secured all three points against Arne Slot's visitors and ended Chelsea's three-game winless streak in league action.
October will be a busy month for Enzo Maresca with his charges in and Carabao Cup action alongside their league commitments.
Ange Postecoglou's dismal start to life as Forest boss sees the hosts head into this game without a win in all seven games across all competitions following his September arrival at the City Ground. The pressure is building on his position already, and a positive result here feels like a must.
MORE: Premier League star sparks debate with surprising pick between Palmer and Florian Wirtz
Nottingham Forest vs. Chelsea lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, injury latest
Postecoglou is unlikely to see too much change on the Forest injury front on their return to action. Oleksandr Zinchenko and Douglas Luiz are another week away from a comeback and Ola Aina is sidelined until January after surgery on a thigh injury.
Murillo is expected to return to the Forest defence and Callum Hudson-Odoi could be preferred to Nicolo Savona on the right flank.
Nottingham Forest predicted starting XI (3-4-3, right to left): Sels (GK) — Milenkovic, Morato, Murillo — Hudson-Odoi, Anderson, Yates, Williams — Gibbs-White, Wood, Ndoye
Injured:Aina (thigh), Zinchenko (groin), Luiz (thigh)
Suspended:None
Maresca is battling an expanding injury list at Chelsea with Cole Palmer the latest star name on the Stamford Bridge treatment table.
The Italian is confident his No. 20 will not miss a prolonged period with a nagging groin issue, but, having missed England's games with Wales and Latvia this month, he is reportedly going to be sidelined until November.
Reece James should be back, after he missed out on the England squad with a muscle issue, but Enzo Fernandez will be assessed after returning from the Argentina camp with a knee problem.
Trevoh Chalobah is back from a one-game suspension and should replace Josh Acheampong in defence. Andrey Santos and Tosin Adarabioyo could also be available again after injury.
Striker Liam Delap is closing on a comeback from a hamstring problem, but he is likely to be back in November.
Chelsea predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sanchez (GK) — James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella — Caicedo, Lavia — Neto, Estevao, Garnacho — Joao Pedro
Injured:Colwill (ACL), Delap (hamstring), Palmer (groin), Tosin (calf, doubt), Essugo (thigh), Fernandez (knee, doubt), Fofana (concussion, doubt), Santos (muscle, doubt)
Suspended:Mudryk (doping violation)
Nottingham Forest vs. Chelsea match details
- Date: Saturday, October 18, 2025
- Kickoff time: 12:30 p.m. local / 7:30 a.m. ET / 4:30 a.m. PT
- Location: City Ground, Nottingham (UK)
- Competition: Premier League matchweek eight
- Referee: Chris Kavanagh
- VAR: Peter Bankes
Chelsea news and related links
Category: General Sports
