Nottingham Forest fell to a narrow 3-2 defeat away at Manchester United last weekend, despite taking a 2-0 lead within just four minutes.
However, despite the loss, there are plenty of reasons to be positive after the performance and the antics of deadline day yesterday.
Steve Cooper’s side made six signings including that of top target Ibrahim Sangare from PSV for £30 million.
Whilst none of them are set to play, it looks like there could be a debut for one other new signing…
Predicted XI to face Chelsea
The Reds made seven changes in midweek as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Burnley in the Carabao Cup, but Cooper is expected to return to full strength ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.
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Defence
Matt Turner now has some competition after the signing of Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos from Benfica, but due to him not being registered in time, Turner will start today.
We think Cooper is expected to continue with a back five as he has done in every game so far this season.
Serge Aurier reverted to a central role in the back five against the Clarets in midweek, but we think he will play in a more natural right wing-back position against the Blues.
Willy Boly and Moussa Niakhate both started in the Cup, with the pair expected to continue together against Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
With Joe Worrall suspended and Scott McKenna injured, we expect new signing Murillo to join the back three, making his debut after his £14 million move from Corinthians.
Ola Aina was rested against Vincent Kompany’s side, but is expected to slot back in at left wing-back this afternoon.
Midfield
Forest could be short on bodies in midfield despite two new men coming in on deadline day.
It’s unlikely that either Sangare or Nicolas Dominguez were registered in time, with Orel Mangala and Danilo likely to miss the trip through injury.
Fellow new signing Andrey Santos is ineligible to play against his parent club, meaning we could see Ryan Yates partner Cheikhou Kouyaté as he did on Wednesday night.
Attack
After the club record departure of Brennan Johnson to Tottenham, the Forest forward line will look strange without the academy graduate.
However, Anthony Elanga is set to make his first Premier League start for the club, coming in to replace Johnson.
Morgan Gibbs-White will be recalled to the starting eleven after being rested in the cup in the week.
The Forest focal point will be Taiwo Awoniyi, who is looking to make it eight Premier League games in a row in which he has scored.
Forest predicted XI vs. Chelsea: Turner, Aurier, Murillo, Boly, Niakhate, Aina; Kouyate, Yates; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Awoniyi.