Is there a more in-form player in the country than Cole Palmer right now? After blitzing four goals for Chelsea against Brighton last week — all scored in the space of 20 first half minutes — Palmer has 10 goal contributions in his first six games of the season. There can’t be a player that Nottingham Forest would least like to face in the Premier League.
There was an interesting debate about the England international circulating on social media this week. Would you rather have Erling Haaland or Palmer in your team? Manchester City were happy to sell the latter to Chelsea for £42million but it’s clear they did not foresee Palmer becoming this influential at Stamford Bridge. Haaland’s goalscoring numbers have been ridiculous. He’s got 101 goals in 107 games. Yet Palmer has shown he can score the goals, create them and bring energy to his team. Since the beginning of last season, Palmer has the same amount of goal contributions as Haaland (42).
Indeed, the debate on which player is more important to their team is much closer than you think. Palmer has the world at his feet and if he continues on this trajectory, he could reach the levels of Eden Hazard and Frank Lampard in Chelsea folklore.
Manager Enzo Maresca will be pleased that it’s not just Palmer carrying the team. Jadon Sancho continues to impress on loan from Manchester United after three assists in as many games while forward Nicolas Jackson is proving that he is the reliable striker that Chelsea desperately need after four goals from six games. Meanwhile, Christopher Nkunku and new signing Pedro Neto both netted again this season in their 4-2 win over Gent in the UEFA Conference League.
Chelsea host a Forest side this weekend that are having a solid start to the season after two wins, three draws and just one defeat. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will come into the game with no fear having already gone to Anfield and beaten title contenders Liverpool 1-0 — their first win on Merseyside in 55 years.
Before the win over Brighton, Maresca’s men hadn’t won at home in the league this season, losing to Manchester City and drawing against Crystal Palace, so that will give the visitors belief too. Forest are yet to lose a game away from home this season and have looked a solid outfit overall. They’ve only let in five goals — only league-leaders Liverpool have allowed fewer — so if Chelsea see this game as an easy win they will be sorely mistaken.
Luckily for Maresca, he has no new injury concerns to worry about, with Reece James and Omari Kellyman remaining out. Forest are still without the suspended Morgan Gibbs-White, who sat out their 1-0 loss to Fulham last time out. Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are long-term absentees.
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Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest odds
Odds from BetFair and update live.
Venue: Stamford Bridge — London
Time: 2 p.m. BST (9 a.m. ET), Sunday
Form guide (league only)
Chelsea: 4-1-1, 13 points (4th) | Last five: W-W-W-D-W
Nottingham Forest: 2-3-1, 9 points (10th) | Last five: L-D-W-D-W
Match prediction
Chelsea 3-1 Nottingham Forest
This won’t be a simple task for Chelsea — and Forest will make it tough for them — though the Blues should have too much for the visitors. Expect the Blues to eventually run away with the result and claim their second home win of the season. Chelsea are blessed with momentum and in-form players. Palmer, Jackson and Sancho have the wind in their sails and that positivity should benefit Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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(Photo of Jadon Sancho: Justin Setterfield / Getty Images)
