Nottingham Forest know they cannot rely on goal difference to save them in their fight for Premier League survival.
And head coach Steve Cooper is eager to ensure it doesn’t come down to that. It is why the Reds are focused on picking up more points in their final three games.
Monday night’s victory over Southampton lifted them out of the relegation zone, three points clear of 18th-placed Leicester City. But Forest are well aware the picture can quickly change again.
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They have the second-worst goal difference out of the five sides scrapping to beat the drop, with -31 - compared to Everton’s -21, the Foxes’ -15, Leeds United’s -25 and Southampton’s -33. With that in mind, Cooper’s attention is on finishing with the right points tally.
"It's not something that's in our favour, obviously. It's only our fault, but we don't have the luxury of goal difference being able to count as an extra point,” he said ahead of today’s trip to face Chelsea.
"The EFL finished last weekend and some things were decided on goal difference. That's not something which falls in our favour, so points are our objective. They will be everyone's objective, but we definitely won't have that bonus of goal difference.
"It's not something which falls in our favour. It's something we've talked about; it's not something we're ignoring. It adds to the challenge.”
After the clash at Stamford Bridge, the Reds round off the season with Arsenal at home and Crystal Palace away. Everton are at home to Manchester City tomorrow, then visit Wolverhampton Wanderers and host Bournemouth. Leicester play Liverpool at the King Power Stadium on Monday, followed by a trip to Newcastle United and finishing at home to West Ham United. Leeds take on the Magpies at Elland Road today, then are away to the Hammers and at home to Tottenham Hotspur. Southampton, who are all but relegated, face Fulham today, travel to Brighton and Hove Albion and sign off at home to Liverpool.
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