Premier League 2025-2026: Chelsea-Nottingham Forest, the likely lineups
Monday’s Premier League postponement pits Chelsea and Nottingham Forest against each other, with kickoff at 4 p.m. at Stamford Bridge. For the hosts there is the league debut of McFarlane, who took over from Rosenior with the aim of redeeming a difficult period marked by too many defeats. The only positive note for the Blues remains the conquest of the FA Cup final after the victory against Leeds, but now the priority is to return to success in front of their fans. On the other hand, Pereira’s Nottingham arrive in London in splendid form; a win today would almost certainly secure salvation, allowing the team to concentrate better on the delicate return leg of the Europa League semifinal against Aston Villa, where they will restart from the precious 1-0 accrued in the first leg.
There is great curiosity about Calum McFarlane’s debut on the Blues’ bench. The coach is banking on Joao Pedro as the offensive terminal, supported by the talent of Cole Palmer and the speed of Pedro Neto. In the midfield, the Lavia-Caicedo pair will have to provide balance, while Enzo Fernandez will act in a more advanced position to inspire the maneuver. Four-man defense in front of Sanchez with the return of the Fofana-Chalobah pair.
Pereira is banking on a solid and compact team, relying on the tandem of Lorenzo Lucca and Jesus in attack. Forest’s goal will be to close every space and then strike on the restart, taking advantage of Gibbs-White’s flair and Anderson’s dynamism in the middle of the field. The defensive line protecting Sels will see the central pair Milenkovic-Morato act, while on the outside lanes Williams and young Abbott.
The likely lineup
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella; Lavia, Caicedo; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro. All. Calum McFarlane.
Nottingham Forest (4-4-2): Sels; Abbott, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; McAtee, Anderson, Dominguez, Gibbs-White; Jesus, Lucca. All. Vitor Pereira.
