Chelsea and Nottingham Forest are set to face each other in a game that could have an effect on both ends of the points table. The Blues might be out of top five contention realistically but that does not mean that they can allow the rest of the Premier League campaign to drift by. If nothing else, they need to restore some pride with the next few games after losing five on the trot without scoring a goal.
Chelsea did show some positive signs in their FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds United. On the other hand, Nottingham Forest cannot consider themselves completely safe from relegation either.
If they lost this game, the gap between them and 18th-placed West Ham United would remain just three points. Not significant enough to relax, even with just three games left to be played.
Why are Chelsea and Nottingham Forest playing on a Monday at 3 pm?
It is safe to say that the kick-off time for this game adds an added layer of intrigue to this game. It will be played on Monday at 3 pm.
Usually, games on Monday are played in the evening to maximise the television audience. Hence the term, Monday Night Football. So, why is it being played at 3 pm?
Well, firstly because it had to be rescheduled to Monday. Originally, the two teams were set to face each other on May 2. But that would not have left enough of a gap between that matchup and Nottingham Forest’s Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa.
With this Monday being a Bank holiday, it allowed the Premier League some extra room to make a decision. So, it was scheduled for 3 pm on Monday, while Manchester City and Everton will take on each other at night.
Can Calum McFarlane stop Chelsea’s slide down the Premier League table?
The sacking of Liam Rosenior and the win over Leeds United has created some distance between Chelsea’s horror run of form and the present. That being said, it is not nearly as significant as it might feel like.
Chelsea are still on a five-game losing streak in the Premier League and have not scored a goal. And they did not return to their goalscoring best even in that Leeds United victory, finding the back of the net just once, through Enzo Fernandez’s header.
So, it would be a mistake to think that this Chelsea team will have it easy against Nottingham Forest. A finish outside the top 10 is still very possible.
