(Football news) After defeating already-relegated Sheffield United 3-1 last weekend, the Tricky Trees are on the verge of safety, while the Blues defeated West Ham United 5-0 to maintain control of their top-seven fate.
Hudson-Odoi, who was formerly thought of as Chelsea’s star kid, did not have the desired outcome in West London. However, since switching to the Forest jersey, the England international attacker has experienced quite the comeback and was the star of the show at Bramall Lane last weekend.
Ben Brereton Diaz’s penalty kick gave the relegated Blades an early lead, but Hudson-Odoi’s two well-placed goals, followed by a first-ever Ryan Yates Premier League goal, put an end to the Garibaldi’s four-game losing streak and maintained their top-flight destiny in their own hands.
Hovering three points above 18th-placed Luton Town and sitting six clear of Burnley in 19th, Forest will be safe with one game to spare if they can better both teams’ results this weekend, so they only need to hold Chelsea to a draw if the Hatters and Clarets lose to West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur respectively.
A dissatisfactory set of results for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men this weekend and the fight for survival could be taken to the closing matchweek – where Burnley await for a possible clash of epic proportions – and the Tricky Trees are also mourning the four points they have lost after their appeal against their deduction was rejected.
While Forest have only won back-to-back Premier League games three times since their return to the big time in 2022, their most recent pair of straight successes began with a 3-1 away win at Newcastle United on Boxing Day before a home triumph over another fallen titan; edging out Manchester United 2-1.
The historical omens may therefore be promising for Santo’s crop, but Chelsea’s May exploits make for grim reading for those of a City Ground persuasion, as Mauricio Pochettino’s side have begun the month with seven goals scored and zero conceded in a pair of London derbies.
After deservedly downing Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 at Stamford Bridge, the Blues hammered the final nail into David Moyes’ Hammers’ coffin with a 5-0 slaughter of the Europa Conference League holders last weekend, where Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke were the stars of the show.
Sitting seventh in the table with a two-point gap to make up to Newcastle United, Chelsea’s current standing may suffice for Europa Conference League football if Manchester United – who are only behind on goal difference – lose to Manchester City in this year’s FA Cup final, which would see the second Europa League spot pass to the sixth-placed team.
Notwithstanding their impressive performances at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea has lost their formula for success away from home and will enter the City Ground having lost their last five away Premier League games against rival teams. They have also failed to keep a clean sheet away from home in the league since October.
Pochettino’s Chelsea players have conceded at least one goal in each of their last 14 Premier League away games. Additionally, despite winning seven straight games against Forest between 1998 and 2020, Chelsea has lost its last three head-to-head meetings, losing 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in September due to a goal from Anthony Elanga.
