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Predicted Chelsea XI to face Nottingham Forest: Fofana available as Lampard makes Hall decision after Bournemouth snub

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(Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Frank Lampard is aiming for consecutive Chelsea wins this weekend when they face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

Chelsea ended a run of six defeats in a row last weekend after defeating Bournemouth 3-1 at Vitality Stadium and are looking to continue their morale boosting victory when Forest make the visit to the capital.

Steve Cooper’s side are battling to stay in the Premier League. They sit three points above the relegation zone with three games to go and Lampard is expecting a tough battle against a team who are fighting for their lives at the bottom end of the table.

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Lampard said pre-match: “Another game comes with a team fighting for their Premier League lives. We have to match that intensity and desire. A really big one (test). We have to give them complete respect. Strong squad, strong coach, effective way of playing.”

So how could Chelsea line-up against Nottingham Forest?

Possible XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Silva, Badiashile, Hall, Kante, Fernandez, Gallagher, Mudryk, Havertz, Madueke

Wesley Fofana is back available and in contention to start, but Lampard could opt to stick with Benoit Badiashile and Thiago Silva as his defensive pairing. With Ben Chilwell and Marc Cucurella both out, Lewis Hall is likely to come into the starting XI after Lampard blocked the youngster from England U20 duty this week.

He said: “Lewis has a chance. I was tempted to put him on last week, but with the nature of the game I felt the experience of Azpi was more suitable at that point. I’ve been really impressed with his training.”

Lampard added: “It’s my decision that he needs to stay with us for the four games. We’ve got injuries with both of our left-backs who have been playing with us this season. It leaves us where we need and want Lewis.”

Kalidou Koulibaly has returned to the grass this week but the Nottingham Forest clash comes too early for him, while Mason Mount and Reece James, as well as Armando Broja, remain sidelined.

Noni Madueke will be hoping to continue his run of starting appearances, while substitutes Raheem Sterling, Hakim Ziyech and Joao Felix were bright against Bournemouth last weekend and will eye a promotion into Lampard’s XI.

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