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Mauricio Pochettino seems to be bringing the feel-good factor back to Stamford Bridge and he can further endear himself to the fans with victory against Forest
The feel-good factor may just be starting to return to Chelsea, who got their first win under Mauricio Pochettino following last Friday’s 3-0 defeat of Luton.
The victory was “fully deserved” according to Pochettino, who will now be looking to guide the Blues to back-to-back Premier League home wins for the first time since October 2022 as they welcome Nottingham Forest to Stamford Bridge.
Preview
The transfer window is now shut, giving Pochettino a clearer idea of the makeup of his expensively-assembled squad for this season.
The reinvigorated Raheem Sterling may feel like a new signing at the Bridge, and Chelsea fans will be hoping he can keep the goals flowing as the Luton victory was just the fifth time in 2023 that the Blues have scored over goals in a Premier League game.
One of those games came in this corresponding clash last season, but Chelsea will undoubtedly be bidding to improve on the 2-2 draw of that day.
The fixture generator could hardly have been more cruel on Nottingham Forest, who gear up for a third away match against a member of the ‘big six’ after just four rounds!
They’ve done themselves justice on the previous two, losing both by a single-goal margin, although defeat at Manchester United was a painful one for the Forest faithful.
After becoming the quickest side in Premier League history to lead United 2-0, Steve Cooper’s men ultimately succumbed 3-2, with captain Joe Worrall sent off and the club furious at the awarding of the match-winning penalty.
Although Cooper admits his players “gave everything”, he was still disappointed to come away empty-handed, even if his side look much better on the road than last term’s paltry eight-point haul away from the City Ground (W1, D5, L13) suggests.
Players to watch
Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson netted for the first time in his new colours against Luton, part of a run of 11 of his last 12 goals arriving on home soil.
Opposite number Taiwo Awoniyi can’t stop scoring - he’s the first player to score in seven consecutive Premier League games for Forest, and just the third African to ever achieve that feat.
When and where to watch
The match will kick off at 5pm Kenyan time and will be live on SuperSport TV.
Predicted line-ups
Chelsea: Sanchez; Disasi, Colwill, Silva; Gusto, Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher, Chilwell; Sterling, Jackson
Nottingham Forest: Turner; Boly, Niakhate, Felipe; Aurier, Kouyate, Yates, Aina; Gibbs-White, Elanga; Awoniyi
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