‘Marc Guiu, Nkunku, Reece James start’ – Chelsea predicted XI v Nottingham Forest
Chelsea face a showdown with Nottingham Forest in a battle to claim a spot in next year’s edition of the Champions League.
The Blues have a busy end to the season, with a Conference League final to prepare for against Real Betis.
But first, they must overcome the test of Nuno Espirito Santo’s upstart Forest side in their quest to return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2022/23 season.
Chelsea have struggled to overcome the Tricky Trees in recent history, winning just one of their last five games against the Midlands side, and drawing 1-1 in their last meeting in October of last year.
The Blues have struggled, specifically in the striking department, with Nicolas Jackson scoring just once this calendar year and will be suspended thanks to receiving a red card for an elbow on Sven Botman in the loss to Newcastle on 11 May.
Pedro Neto dropped as Marc Guiu and Christopher Nkunku make surprise starts
Enzo Maresca experimented with Tyrique George leading the line against Man United in their previous game, but the young winger struggled out of position.
Pedro Neto has also been used in that position at times this season with little success, dropping the Portuguese winger will allow Chelsea’s boss to play Noni Madueke in his more comfortable position on the right-hand side.
With Guiu and Nkunku both returning from injuries in time for the trip to Nottingham [Standard], Maresca may lean on the pair to provide a different sort of threat to Santo’s side.
| 2024/25 All competition stats | Guiu |
| Appearances | 13 |
| Starts | 5 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Minutes | 580 |
The Spaniard has featured sparingly since making the switch from Barcelona in the summer, but his size and poacher’s instinct may be exactly what the Blues need.
Nkunku looks likely to leave Chelsea this summer, but whilst his time at Stamford Bridge has been underwhelming, the Frenchman’s eye for goal and creative movement could dovetail well with Guiu’s hold-up play.
Enzo Maresca relying on strong backline to continue good form
Maresca will likely field an unchanged back four from the one that held United at bay in their last fixture.
Reece James produced a spectacular piece of skill to set up Marc Cucurella for that game’s only goal, and it would be a surprise to see the Italian drop the England international.
Starting the club’s captain will also allow Moises Caicedo to move back into his more natural position in the midfield to partner Enzo Fernandez, with the pair looking strong against United in their previous outing together.
Tosin Adarabioyo joined from cross-town rivals Fulham in the summer, and after a slow start, the 27-year-old has emerged as a reliable partner to Levi Colwill in front of the often-shaky Robert Sanchez.
Rounding out the starting XI is Chelsea’s talisman and main threat Palmer, and whilst his form has been poor recently, Maresca is short of alternative options.