Chelsea chase top four at Forest as Maresca serves ban

Chelsea players celebrate after securing Champions League qualification at the City Ground (Illustrative image) (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) Getty Images

Chelsea face a crucial test in their top-four pursuit when they visit struggling Nottingham Forest on Saturday at 12:30pm BST. The Blues have the chance to move into the Premier League's top four with victory at the City Ground.

Enzo Maresca will be notably absent from the touchline after receiving a second yellow card for celebrating Chelsea's dramatic 95th-minute winner against Liverpool. The Italian's animated reaction to Estevao Willian's late goal ended a three-game winless run but cost him his dugout presence for this fixture.

Managerial complications

Willy Caballero will lead Chelsea from the dugout, with Danny Walker and Roberto Vitiello assisting, according to the Evening Standard. Despite his ban, Maresca was fined £8,000 and can communicate with his coaching staff via phone or electronic devices during the match.

Forest manager Ange Postecoglou faces mounting pressure having failed to win any of his first seven games in charge. The former Tottenham boss remains under scrutiny as Forest sit precariously close to the relegation zone.

Team news concerns

Chelsea received a boost with multiple players expected to return from international duty. The Mirror reports that Enzo Fernandez and captain Reece James, who withdrew from Argentina and England squads respectively, should be available for selection.

Forest have injury doubts over Oleksandr Zinchenko, who missed Ukraine's World Cup qualifiers with a groin problem. Douglas Luiz could also be absent due to a hamstring issue, while former Chelsea academy product Ola Aina remains a long-term absentee following hamstring surgery.

Historical advantage

Chelsea carry significant momentum into this fixture beyond their recent Liverpool victory. The Blues have not lost at the City Ground since January 1997, maintaining an impressive 28-year unbeaten record at Forest's home venue.

This early Saturday kick-off presents Forest with a crucial opportunity to pull clear of relegation trouble, albeit potentially only temporarily before other weekend results unfold.

Sources used: "The Standard", "Evening Standard", "Mirror"

Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.