Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea FC: Full Match Timeline, Key Moments & Stats Breakdown

The Premier League’s penultimate weekend delivers a high-stakes showdown as Nottingham Forest welcome Chelsea F.C. to the City Ground on Sunday, 25 May 2025. Kick-off is locked in for 16:00 BST, with both sides still jockeying for their final European berths. Match-day timeline at a glance • 13:30 BST – Stadium gates open; Forest encourage early arrival to ease expected capacity crowd congestion. • 14:00 BST – Official team sheets released. All eyes will be on whether Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca gives Cole Palmer another roaming role, and if Forest boss Nuno Espírito Santo risks Taiwo Awoniyi from the start after his recent knock. • 15:15 BST – Warm-ups begin. Watch Raheem Sterling vs. Neco Williams in the wide channels; a key micro-battle that could decide the afternoon. • 16:00 BST – Kick-off. • Around 16:45 BST – First-half stoppage-time whistle. • ~17:50 BST – Final whistle and, potentially, confirmation of each club’s European destination pending other results. Why this Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea F.C. timeline matters Both clubs know victory virtually guarantees UEFA competition next term. Forest start the day eighth, two points shy of a Europa League slot, while Chelsea sit sixth but could jump into the Champions League conversation if results elsewhere tilt their way. Expect energetic pressing from Forest and possession-heavy patterns from Chelsea as tactical identities collide. Key storylines to watch 1. Palmer’s purple patch – The former City academy star has 12 goal involvements in his last ten league appearances. If Forest fail to track his late-box arrivals the visitors will punish them. 2. Gibbs-White vs. Caicedo – Forest’s creative fulcrum meets Chelsea’s ball-winning metronome. The midfield duel will dictate territorial flow. 3. Set-piece swing – Forest have scored 35 % of their league goals from dead-ball scenarios this season, the second-highest ratio in the division. Chelsea’s zonal system has leaked from corners; expect Murillo and Felipe to crowd Djordje Petrović’s six-yard box. Recent head-to-head snapshot • 20 Jan 2024: Forest 1-1 Chelsea – Brennan Johnson’s late leveller rescued a point at the City Ground. • 7 Dec 2024: Chelsea 2-1 Forest – Nicolas Jackson’s stoppage-time header settled a frantic reverse fixture. • 2 Sep 2023: Chelsea 0-1 Forest – The Trentside club’s first Stamford Bridge league victory since 1995. Injury and suspension check • Nottingham Forest – Awoniyi (ankle, late test), Sangaré (suspension — final match served), Hudson-Odoi (eligible vs. former club). • Chelsea – Reece James (hamstring, doubtful), Christopher Nkunku (match fitness), Levi Colwill (returns from ban). Predicted XIs Forest (3-4-2-1): Turner; Boly, Felipe, Murillo; Williams, Yates, Danilo, Aina; Elanga, Gibbs-White; Awoniyi. Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Petrović; Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Enzo; Sterling, Palmer, Mudryk; Jackson. Live-viewing options UK viewers can tune in on Sky Sports Main Event; USA coverage streams via USA Network and Peacock. Worldwide broadcasters listed on the clubs’ official sites shortly before kick-off. Search-friendly quick facts • Fixture: Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea F.C. timeline, Premier League, Matchweek 37 • Venue: The City Ground, Nottingham • Date & Time: 25 May 2025, 16:00 BST / 11:00 ET • Streaming: Sky Go, NOW, Peacock, fuboTV Bottom line Bookmark this Nottingham Forest vs Chelsea F.C. timeline to track every twist, from team-news drops to the last kick in the East Midlands dusk. With European dreams—and pride—on the line, expect ninety minutes that could rewrite each club’s 2024/25 story in bold, unforgettable ink.