The penultimate weekend of the Premier League takes us to the City Ground as Nottingham Forest play host to Chelsea.
Forest Versus Chelsea
Both Nottingham Forest and Chelsea come into this clash needing a win for far differing reasons. Who will come out on top?
High Stakes Saturday
Although Nottingham Forest are not mathematically safe from relegation, the balance of power has taken a massive swing towards the River Trent and with Nuno Espirito Santo’s men having to travel to Sheffield United last Saturday, they also received a gift from the football gods.
A gift that is wrapped up in an all but guaranteed victory against the Premier League’s basement side and even though Forest found themselves going a goal down at Bramall Lane, the City Ground outfit had enough in the tank to go up through the gears and earn all three points.
Not only did they manage a win against a hapless Sheffield United, but their two relegation rivals failed to pick up maximums for themselves. Forest would already be aware of Luton’s draw with Everton the night before, they would be delighted with Burnley’s collapse at home to Newcastle.
A combination of results that puts Forest three points clear of Luton and with a better goal difference – which can also serve as the equivalent of an extra point at this stage of the season, while now being five clear of Burnley.
Should results go the way of Nottingham’s premier club this weekend, then they will be able to mark themselves safe from demotion. If they manage to swing the other way, then it is a do-or-die clash on the final day with Burnley at Turf Moor.
A win on Saturday would all but secure their status, even if positive outcomes came elsewhere. However, if they are to nullify any final day risk, they may have to get the better of a Chelsea side that is now finally in the groove.
Not only are Mauricio Pochettino’s men in the groove but they are also back in the European places and almost out of nowhere have they managed to put the task of continental qualification back in their own hands.
The West London outfit managed to do so after making light work of West Ham last Sunday and although the Hammers 5-0 defeat was not the sole reason for the announcement of David Moyes’ contract not being expired, it would have certainly made any decision far easier to make.
Whereas it looked as if the Chelsea board would have a decision to make regarding manager Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine now looks far more secure in West London and if he can return European action to Stamford Bridge, a second campaign in charge will be guaranteed.
But now it is time for the first of my two tips, and I am going to back the visitors to come out on top. Not only that, but I am back Cole Palmer to play a big part in Chelsea’s success. A goal for the forward, three points for his team and this bet builder is priced at odds of 12/5.
In addition to this, I am going to look at the corner market. This has a habit of throwing expected outcomes and although no more than five in total may raise a few eyebrows in terms of a tip, odds of 12/1 make it this selection more than justifiable.
Bet £10, Get £50 in Bonuses
