Football is a funny old game, isn't it? You think you've seen every possible twist in the Premier League, and then you get a match like Nottm Forest vs Chelsea. On paper, it looks like a classic clash between the historic elite and the nouveau-riche-but-struggling giants. But if you were at the City Ground for that October 3-0 Chelsea win, or if you're tracking their trajectory in early 2026, you know there's a lot more under the surface than just three points.
Honestly, the narrative around these two clubs shifts faster than a Chelsea manager's job security. Speaking of which, it's wild to think that as of January 2026, Liam Rosenior is the man in the Stamford Bridge dugout. He stepped in after Enzo Maresca—despite winning the Conference League and a Club World Cup—lost the dressing room and the board's patience. On the other side, Forest have gone full "Gravel Voice" by appointing Sean Dyche. It’s a culture clash that shouldn't work, yet somehow, it’s exactly what the Premier League needs.
What Really Happened with Nottm Forest vs Chelsea
The last time these two met in a major league fixture, it was a bloodbath. Not in the "tackle-him-hard" sense, though Malo Gusto did get himself sent off late for a second yellow. No, it was a tactical dismantling. Chelsea walked into the City Ground and put three past Forest without really breaking a sweat. Josh Acheampong, the academy graduate everyone’s been talking about, scored a towering header that basically sucked the life out of the Trentside crowd.
Then came the drama.
Most people forget that Ange Postecoglou was actually the Forest manager for about 17 minutes after that final whistle. He was sacked almost immediately. It felt harsh at the time, but Forest fans were fed up with "Ange-ball" leaving them exposed at the back. When you’re sitting 18th in the table, you don’t want high-pressing flair. You want someone who knows how to organize a set-piece. Enter Dyche.
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The Tactical Shift
Under the new regimes in 2026, the dynamic has changed. Chelsea is younger—average age is somewhere around 24—and they play with a frantic, technical energy. Forest, meanwhile, have become a wall.
- Chelsea's Approach: Rosenior has kept the 4-2-3-1 but added a bit more pragmatism. He relies on Moises Caicedo to do the work of three men in midfield.
- Forest's Wall: Dyche has reverted to a gritty 3-5-2 or a 4-4-1-1 depending on the day. He’s got Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo playing like their lives depend on every clearance.
- The X-Factor: Morgan Gibbs-White. He's the heartbeat of Forest. If he's "on," Chelsea's high line gets exposed. If he’s marked out by Caicedo, it’s a long afternoon for the Reds.
Why the City Ground is a Nightmare for Chelsea
You've heard the commentators talk about "the atmosphere" at the City Ground. It's not just a cliché. There's something about the proximity of the fans to the pitch that seems to rattle Chelsea’s younger players. Even when Chelsea wins there, like that 1-0 victory on the final day of the 24/25 season (thanks, Levi Colwill), it’s never comfortable.
Historical stats tell a story of Forest dominance that existed long before the Premier League era. Did you know Forest once beat Chelsea 7-0? Okay, that was in 1991, but the "Tricky Trees" haven't forgotten. Recently, though, the tide has turned. Since Forest came back up in 2022, they actually went three games unbeaten against the Blues initially. They even snatched a 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge in late 2023.
But as we sit here in January 2026, the gap is widening again. Chelsea's bench is worth more than Forest’s entire starting XI. That hurts to say, but it's the reality of the modern game.
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Injury News and Team Selection
Heading into the second half of the 2025/26 season, both teams are nursing some serious bruises. Chelsea’s defensive crisis has "softened" according to reports, but they’re still missing Levi Colwill with that long-term ACL injury.
Forest are missing Ibrahim Sangare and Ryan Yates for significant chunks, which is why Dyche has been forced to rely on Elliot Anderson and Nicolas Dominguez to hold the fort. It’s not ideal. But Dyche thrives on "not ideal."
The Nottm Forest vs Chelsea Misconception
People think this is a "big club vs small club" match. It’s not. Forest are two-time European Cup winners. They have a weight of history that Chelsea, for all their recent trophies, still respects. When these two meet, it’s about more than just the current table. It's about the clash of identities.
One club buys the world’s best teenagers and hopes they stick. The other is a community-driven powerhouse trying to survive in a world of PSR and billionaire owners.
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Key Players to Watch in 2026
- Estevao Willian (Chelsea): The "Messinho" hype is real. He became the youngest Brazilian to score a winning goal in the Prem against Liverpool, and he’s been a nightmare for Forest's fullbacks.
- Taiwo Awoniyi (Forest): When he’s fit, he’s a beast. He didn't have much joy in the 0-3 loss, but his physical presence is the only thing that really bothers Chelsea’s center-backs.
- Andrey Santos (Chelsea): Currently playing a "number ten" role under Rosenior, he’s become the creative hub that Cole Palmer used to be before his own injury spells.
What to Watch for Next
If you're looking for an edge in the next meeting, keep an eye on the set-pieces. Forest have scored a disproportionate amount of their goals against Chelsea from corners and free-kicks since 2022. Dyche knows this. He’ll be drilling those routines until the players can do them in their sleep.
Chelsea’s weakness is still their inability to deal with a physical "target man" and a loud crowd. If Forest can keep it 0-0 for the first thirty minutes, the pressure on Rosenior starts to build. And at Chelsea, pressure usually leads to a P45.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup:
- Watch the Wing-Backs: Forest’s Neco Williams and Ola Aina are essential for stretching Chelsea’s compact midfield.
- The First 15 Minutes: Chelsea tends to score early under Rosenior. If Forest survives the initial blitz, the game becomes a tactical chess match.
- Check the Lineups for Reece James: He’s at 200 appearances now, but his fitness is always the question mark. When he plays, Chelsea’s win rate jumps significantly.
The rivalry might not be a "Derby" in the geographic sense, but it’s a battle for the soul of the Premier League. One side is trying to prove that money and scouting can build a dynasty; the other is trying to prove that grit, history, and a loud stadium still mean something in 2026.