Verdict: Nottingham Forest win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to extend on their remarkable Premier League flurry, Nottingham Forest will welcome West Ham to the City Ground on Saturday afternoon.
Nottingham Forest
Starting with the hosts, while Nottingham Forest might have spent large spells of last season looking over their shoulder at a looming relegation scrap, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have come roaring back in a remarkable fashion. Laying down another marker last weekend as they stormed their way to a 3-1 romp away at Leicester, the former Wolves boss should find the mood in his camp at a red-hot high. Marking their return to the City Ground with just their goal difference keeping them outside of the top-six, Forest have continued to receive plenty of plaudits. In fact, the Reds have suffered just a single defeat from any of their first nine Premier League appearances this season. Marking their return from October’s international break with a 1-0 win at home against Crystal Palace, Santo’s squad will be looking to make another statement here.
Team News
Yet to feature since returning from October’s international break, Nottingham Forest are once again sweating over the fitness of England international Morgan Gibbs-White. Likewise, Santo will be unable to call upon Brazilian midfielder Danilo on Saturday afternoon,
Continuing on what has been a real Premier League romp and already notching seven top-flight goals, Chris Wood will be looking to extend on his flurry here. Arriving from Aston Villa on a season-long loan switch, Alex Moreno will once again feature at left-back.
West Ham
As for the visitors, snatching what was a controversial 2-1 win at home against Manchester United last weekend, West Ham will be desperate to use that performance as a platform to build on. While the Hammers might have appointed Julen Lopetegui over the summer, they have struggled to find any kind of stability under the ex-Wolves boss. Still battling it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, Saturday’s guests have also gained an unwanted reputation for their defensive struggles. Along with getting producing underway with a 2-1 loss against Aston Villa on August 17th, West Ham have recorded just a sole Premier League clean sheet since the start of January. Hit with a 2-0 defeat when they travelled to Nottingham Forest last season, the Hammers should have another tricky test on their hands here.
Team News
Yet to make a single Premier League start since arriving from Borussia Dortmund over the summer, Niclas Fullkrug remains a major doubt here. Likewise, shown a straight red card against Tottenham earlier in the month, attacking talisman Mohamed Kudus is still suspended.
Coming off the bench and finding the net against Man United last week, former Leeds star Crysencio Summervile should feature from the start. Jean-Clair Todibo will be handed a full recall and will replace one-time Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos at the back.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Nottingham Forest and West Ham last met back on February 17th, Saturday’s hosts collected a 2-0 victory at the City Ground.
- In fact, Forest have won each of their last three straight home fixtures against the Hammers by an aggregate score of 8-0.
- West Ham have recorded just a single Premier League clean sheet since way back on January 2nd.
- Chris Wood has recorded seven goals in his first nine Premier League appearances.
- Nottingham Forest have lost just one of their first nine Premier League appearances this season.
Conclusion
While West Ham might have snatched that controversial 2-1 win against Manchester United last weekend, the Hammers will have a real challenge on their hands here. Hit with a 2-0 loss when they travelled to the City Ground last season, they meet a Nottingham Forest squad who are in the midst of a real flurry. Suffering just a single defeat from any of their first nine Premier League appearances, Saturday’s hosts are scrapping it out in the European chase. Winning each of their previous three meetings against West Ham at the City Ground by an aggregate score of 8-0, Santo’s side will be hoping to make another statement.
Verdict: Nottingham Forest win
Best Odds: 6/5
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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