Nottingham Forest v Chelsea LIVE: Premier League final day team news before end to thrilling race for Champions League places

Nottingham Forest XI: Sels: Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Dominguez, Sangare, Anderson; Gibbs-White; Wood, Elanga

Chelsea XI: Sanchez; James, Tosin, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, Sancho; Neto

There have never been so many clubs going for Champions League qualification on the final day. It has admittedly become a bit more than “the battle for fifth”, as it has occasionally been derided.

Instead, five clubs are going for three places, with two of them – Nottingham Forest and Chelsea – directly facing off.

The elements are there for an exciting last day, if not quite an epic one.

Chelsea have lost their final league match in just two of their last 13 campaigns (eight wins, three draws).

However, they are winless in the last three seasons they have finished away from home (one draw, two defeats).

Nottingham Forest are vying to win consecutive top-flight matches for just the second time since a six-game winning streak ended on 6 January.

Even if they lose today, their total of 65 points more than doubles their figure from 2023-24, when they finished with 32 points after four were deducted for breaching profitability and sustainability rules.

Final fixture: Chelsea (H)

What they need: To beat Chelsea, no other result will be good enough unless Manchester United beat Aston Villa and Newcastle lose by nine to Everton – the latter of which will surely not happen.

If Forest win, they would still need one other result to go their way, so Newcastle failing to beat Everton, or Aston Villa failing to beat Manchester United.

Final fixture: Manchester United (A)

What they need: Unai Emery’s side are the in-form team in the division and go to a Manchester United side who will be playing in the Europa League final on Wednesday night. Villa’s are not in their hands, however, with Manchester City going above them after beating Bournemouth in midweek.

Villa will need to win and hope one of Newcastle, Manchester City or Chelsea fail to pick up three points on the final day.

Final fixture: Nottingham Forest (A)

What they need: Chelsea’s fate is also in their hands as they travel to a top-five contender at the City Ground. A win would be enough for Enzo Maresca’s side to finish in the top five while eliminating Forest.

A draw would leave Chelsea open to being knocked out of the top-five by Aston Villa. But a draw would be enough to qualify if Aston Villa fail to win and Newcastle lose.

If Chelsea lose, Nottingham Forest would go ahead of them and Chelsea would need the following: Aston Villa to lose at Manchester United, plus Newcastle lose at home to Everton, and lose by three goals more.