Relegation-threatened West Ham United will host 13th-placed Nottingham Forest on Saturday in the Premier League.
West Ham United will square up against Nottingham Forest as they look to jump out of the relegation zone. The east London club are just one point adrift from safety, while their opponents are five points clear of the drop zone. Both clubs are desperate for a win, and this fixture might play a big role in the relegation battle.
It has been a difficult time for the home team of late. They have only managed to win once in their last five league fixtures. West Ham have suffered two defeats and played out two draws in their last five outings.
David Moyes’s men are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur. They had a difficult time against one of the top teams in the league. Moyes’s charges were outclassed as they could only manage a shot on target in the entire ninety minutes.
They will be eager to bounce back when they square up against Nottingham Forest. It is a must-win match for the east London club, who have only managed to win five games out of the 23 league matches. Only Leeds United have managed to win fewer games (4).
On the other hand, the away team will be eager to win their seventh league match of the season. Nottingham Forest are heading into this encounter on the back of an important draw against Manchester City. They managed to hold off the title contenders at home.
Now they will look to travel away from home and get three important points. Steve Cooper’s men are five points clear of the relegation zone. And, they will look to strengthen their position as they look to avoid relegation.
Nottingham Forest are in decent form of late. They have managed to get eight points out of their last five matches, having won two and drawn two. They will look to keep the good work going when they travel to the London Stadium.
The Trick Trees defeated the Hammers 1-0 in the reverse fixture back in August. However, this time around it will be a lot more difficult as Nottingham looks to claim their first away victory against the Hammers in 37 years. It is going to be an interesting clash between two teams who are desperate for a win. The Hard Tackle has a look at their team and the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
West Ham United
David Moyes is speaking to the media ahead of #WHUNFO 🗣
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 24, 2023
David Moyes has given an update on the injuries in his press conference. West Ham will still be without Lucas Paqueta, who has returned but is yet to take part in full training. Meanwhile, the return of Kurt Zouma and Maxwel Cornet will be a boost for the team.
However, the duo is unlikely to start against Nottingham. Jarrod Bowen, who picked up a knock against Tottenham Hotspur, has recovered and is likely to star.
Moyes is likely to go ahead with the 3-4-2-1 formation, with Lukasz Fabianski in goal. The back three will comprise of Thilo Kehrer, Angelo Ogbonna, and Nayef Aguerd. Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek will pair in the centre, while Vladimir Coufal and Emerson Palmieri will play outside in the middle.
Said Benrahma and Jarrod Bowen will sit behind the front man Michail Antonio. The duo will look to supply balls for the dangerous Antonio who will be leading the line.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Fabianski; Kehrer, Ogbonna, Aguerd; Coufal, Rice, Soucek, Emerson; Benrahma, Bowen; Antonio
Nottingham Forest
Steve Cooper has the same headaches as usual with Dean Henderson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Giulian Biancone, Omar Richards, Cheikhou Kouyate, Moussa Niakhate, Scott McKenna and Willy Boly all out injured.
However, they do have a bit of a boost as Ryan Yates and Jesse Lingard have returned from injury and are expected to play a part against the Hammers.
Ready for the next challenge 💪
— Nottingham Forest FC (@NFFC) February 24, 2023
Cooper is expected to go ahead with the 4-3-1-2 formation with a diamond in the midfield. Keylor Navas, who is on loan from Paris Saint-Germain will once again start in goal and will be expected to deliver another outstanding performance.
Felipe and Joe Worrall will pair up in the centre of defence. Serge Aurier and Renan Lodi will be the full-backs. Jonjo Shelvey will start alongside Danilo and Remo Freuler in the midfield. Morgan Gibbs-White will be the creative midfielder behind the duo of Brennan Johnson and Chris Wood, who is on loan from Newcastle United.
Probable Lineup (4-3-1-2): Navas; Aurier, Worrall, Felipe, Lodi; Danilo, Freuler, Shelvey; Gibbs-White; Johnson, Wood
Key Stats
- West Ham United and Nottingham Forest have crossed paths 117 times across competitions since their first meeting in the FA Cup in 1911. The Hammers have 46 wins, while the Tricky Tress have 45 victories.
- They have not played out of a draw in their last eight meetings. West Ham United have five wins, while Nottingham Forest have three.
- West Ham United have only won one out of their last 11 Premier League games.
- Visitors Nottingham Forest have won their last two games against West Ham United.
- Nottingham Forest only have one win away from home in the league. They have only scored three goals in 11 away league matches.
Player to watch out
Keylor Navas
Nottingham Forest brought Keylor Navas to the club on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in January. It has been a great signing for the club. The former Real Madrid star will be the one to watch out for having already delivered two man-of-the-match performances in the Premier League. His performance in goal might decide the eventual result of the game.
Prediction
West Ham United 1-1 Nottingham Forest
While Nottingham Forest sit five points above West Ham United on 13th, there is not much between the two teams on paper. It is likely to be an evenly-contested match where both teams are likely to find the back of the net and settle for a draw. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 draw between the Hammers and the Tricky Trees.
