Chelsea predicted XI v Nottingham Forest: two key changes made with £78m back in action

Chelsea remain firmly in the race for Europe after hitting a much improved run of form over the last fortnight.

After a dispiriting 5-0 hammering at the hands of London rivals Arsenal, Mauricio Pochettino’s men have battled to earn a point at Champions League-chasing Aston Villa before claiming six points and hitting seven goals without reply in impressive home wins against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.

That means the Blues head into the penultimate weekend of the season sat in seventh place in the table ahead of Saturday evening’s visit to Nottingham Forest. Following the trip to the City Ground, Chelsea hit the road once again in midweek as they head to Brighton and Hove Albion before a season of contrasting emotions is brought to an end with next Sunday’s home game with AFC Bournemouth.

It would be safe to say, given the level of spending undertaken by the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, a push for a Europa League spot was the least expected of Pochettino’s side - but the importance of the next seven days can not be underplayed as the Blues aim to secure a place in Europe and take some momentum into the summer break.

Chelsea team news

There has been mixed news on the injury front for Pochettino as he continues to contend with a lengthy list of absentees ahead of the final week of the season. Long-term injured trio Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez will play no further part and are already focusing their attentions on returning in time for pre-season after suffering respective knee, thigh and groin injuries.

Lesley Ugochukwu is rapidly closing in on a return to fitness from a thigh injury and Pochettino has revealed his condition is being assessed ‘day-by-day’ ahead of a possible return on the final weekend of the season.

Goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is now back in training but is unlikely to feature against Forest, and confirmation is awaited over Ben Chilwell and Carney Chukwuemeka’s return to fitness after they both suffered knee injuries. However, it does seem likely England star Reece James will be back in the squad for the visit to the City Ground.

Petrovic, Gusto, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Gallagher, Madueke, Palmer, Sterling, Jackson.