Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga ready to pounce as Chelsea face defensive test at Forest

Both teams are locked in a tight race for a top-five finish, and former Chelsea star Pat Nevin has pinpointed key vulnerabilities that could decide the outcome of this crucial final-day battle.

Chelsea's defence, particularly their centre-back pairing, will face a stern challenge from Forest's in-form attacking duo of Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga, according to Nevin.

Speaking exclusively to Metro, he highlighted the Blues' defensive inconsistency as a potential weak point. "The centre of Chelsea's defense has been a revolving door this season," Nevin said. "Levi Colwill is a constant, but his partnerâ”whether it's Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, or othersâ”has varied. It's more stable now, but this game will test them. Wood and Elanga are tough to handle."

Wood, with 20 Premier League goals this season, has been a revelation for Forest, matching the club's highest single-season tally since Stan Collymore's 22 in 1994-95. His intelligent movement and clinical finishing make him a constant threat, while Elanga's pace and creativity, six goals and 11 assists this term, have been vital to Forest's push for Europe. "Wood's movement is superb, and he's so intelligent," Nevin added. "Colwill, at 22, will need every bit of his experience to keep him quiet. If Chelsea can neutralize Wood, they have the edge."

Chelsea, sitting fifth with 66 points, hold a one-point advantage over seventh-placed Forest, who have 65. A win for the Blues would secure Champions League football, but a draw or loss could see them slip to the Europa League, or worse, depending on results elsewhere. Forest, meanwhile, need a victory and favorable outcomes in other matches to leapfrog into the top five. Their recent 2-1 win over West Ham, with Elanga assisting Nikola Milenkovic's goal, showed their ability to deliver in big moments.

Nevin also raised concerns about Chelsea's attack, particularly with star striker Nicolas Jackson suspended and Cole Palmer struggling for form. "Chelsea miss the old Cole Palmer," Nevin said. "He's not been at his best lately, with just one goal, a penalty, in his last 21 games. Without Jackson, they'll likely rely on young Tyrique George up top, which changes things."

Despite these worries, Nevin remains optimistic, predicting Chelsea's quality will shine through. "They'll dominate possession, even away from home," he said. "I've backed Chelsea for the Champions League all season, and I think they'll get it done, even if it's fifth."

Chelsea's recent form, six wins in seven games, including a 1-0 victory over Manchester United, gives them momentum, but their away struggles are a concern. They've managed just one win in their last 10 Premier League road games, scoring only five times in that span. Forest, meanwhile, have been tough to beat at home, though their seven-game run without a clean sheet could give Chelsea's attack openings.

Adding to the drama, Chelsea face Real Betis in the Europa Conference League final just three days later on May 28, a scheduling issue that frustrates manager Enzo Maresca. "No one cares about player welfare," Maresca said, hinting at possible rotation. "The focus is on Forest, but we'll manage tired players for Betis." He confirmed forwards Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu are available after injuries, while goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen will start the final.

This blockbuster clash promises intensity, with Chelsea's youthful squad, averaging 24 years and 28 days, facing a Forest side chasing their highest Premier League finish since 1994-95. Expect goals, as both teams have scored over 120 combined this season, and their last meeting ended 1-1, with Wood and Noni Madueke trading strikes. The stage is set for a thrilling finale to decide who claims a Champions League berth.

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