Nottingham Forest hosts West Ham, aiming to exploit the Hammers’ struggles. Forest started strong, while West Ham faces a crisis after EFL Cup exit and league defeats. Forest’s strong record against West Ham, especially at home, boosts their confidence. Chris Wood’s form is key for Forest. West Ham’s Graham Potter is under pressure. Bet Builder tips favor Nottingham Forest’s victory and Wood’s performance.
Nottingham Forest welcomes West Ham to the City Ground this Sunday, aiming to capitalize on their opponent's current struggles. Forest began their 2025/26 campaign positively with a comfortable 3-1 victory against Brentford. They currently sit with four points from their initial two Premier League matches, showcasing their ambition to build on last season’s success.
West Ham, however, are in a precarious situation. Their midweek exit from the EFL Cup, suffering a 3-2 defeat to Wolves, has amplified the pressure on the team. With the season still in its early stages, the Hammers are desperate to turn their fortunes around and avoid a further slide down the league table.
This fixture pits two teams with contrasting aspirations against each other. Nottingham Forest, buoyed by their recent form and home advantage, will seek to assert their dominance. Meanwhile, West Ham, mired in a crisis of confidence, will be desperate to secure a positive result and alleviate the mounting pressure.
Nottingham Forest's journey over the past year has been marked by significant progress. Their confirmed Europa League spot has only added to the acclaim they have received. Despite a recent 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace, Forest's four points from their opening two Premier League games demonstrate their competitiveness. Returning to the City Ground, they will be eager to leverage their home advantage.
Under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo, Nottingham Forest boasts a strong record against West Ham. Their 2-1 victory at the London Stadium on May 18th underscores their recent dominance. Forest has won their last three top-flight encounters with West Ham, scoring seven goals while conceding only one. Furthermore, their home record against the Hammers is exceptional, having won their previous four meetings with an aggregate score of 11-0.
West Ham's season began disastrously with a 3-0 defeat to Premier League newcomers Sunderland. This result set the tone for a series of disappointing performances, culminating in a 5-1 home defeat to Chelsea. The pressure on Graham Potter is intensifying, with suggestions that his position could be in jeopardy if West Ham suffers another defeat.
Their EFL Cup exit further compounded their woes, as they succumbed to a 3-2 defeat against Wolves. West Ham has lost their first three matches across all competitions, conceding 11 goals while scoring only three. Their defensive vulnerabilities have been a major concern, with the team consistently struggling to contain opposition attacks.
Chris Wood has been instrumental in Nottingham Forest's success. His outstanding form last season played a key role in securing their Europa League qualification. Wood's prolific goal-scoring record, including 20 Premier League goals last season, places him among the league's top strikers. Despite the summer arrivals, Wood has already opened his Premier League account this season, scoring twice against Brentford. His clinical performances at the City Ground have earned him a reputation as a reliable goal-scorer. Having found the net in their previous home game against West Ham in November 2024, Wood will be confident of exploiting West Ham's leaky defense once again.
Bet Builder Tips:
- Nottingham Forest win @ 7/10 with 1xBet
- Nottingham Forest to score in both halves @ 8/5 with BetUS
- Chris Wood over 1.5 shots on target @ 11/8 with Dachbet
Overall Odds: 9/1 with Vegas Land