The 2024/25 Premier League season has continued this week with Gameweek 37. The action on Saturday will start with the game between Everton and Nottingham Forest before continuing with West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium.
West Ham United would have hoped to overturn their fortunes after sacking Julen Lopetegui and replacing him with Graham Potter. However, the Hammers have continued blowing hot and cold, only avoiding a relegation battle because the bottom-three teams have been horrendous. The English tactician has overseen only four wins in 17 matches thus far, with eight games ending in a defeat.
On the other hand, Nottingham Forest went from a commanding position to secure UEFA Champions League qualification to seventh in a few weeks. The Tricky Trees had their fate in their hands as they were third in the Premier League standings until Gameweek 33. However, a three-game winless run has sent Nuno Espirito Santo’s men tumbling. So, anything other than two wins in the final two games will end Nottingham Forest’s Champions League aspirations.
The reverse fixture saw Nottingham Forest cruise to a 3-0 win over West Ham United, with Chris Wood, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Ola Aina finding the back of the net. The Hard Tackle looks closer at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
David Moyes has no new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. The West Ham United manager will be bereft of the services of two first-team players vs Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Crysencio Summerville remains on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury. Meanwhile, Michail Antonio is recovering from the effects of the horrific car accident he suffered several months ago.
Alphonse Areola will take his spot between the sticks, with West Ham United lining up in a 3-4-1-2 formation in front of him vs Nottingham Forest on Sunday. The central defensive unit should feature Aaron Cresswell, Max Kilman, and Jean-Clair Todibo. Vladimir Coufal and Aaron Wan-Bissaka should start as the two wing-backs.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Tomas Soucek and James Ward-Prowse, who will pair up in the central areas. Finally, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus will be the two strikers, with Lucas Paqueta providing creative support to the offensive duo.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Areola; Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell; Coufal, Soucek, Ward-Prowse, Wan-Bissaka; Paqueta; Bowen, Kudus
Unlike his counterpart in the West Ham United dugout, Nuno Espirito Santo has a new injury concern to worry about ahead of the trip to the London Stadium. The Nottingham Forest manager might be without as many as four first-team players on Sunday.
Nuno is sweating over the fitness of Murillo (hamstring) and Eric da Silva Moreira (ankle). Meanwhile, Taiwo Awoniyi is the latest absentee after suffering a concerning abdominal injury last weekend against Leicester City. In addition, Callum Hudson-Odoi remains on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury.
Matz Sels is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Nottingham Forest lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs West Ham United on Sunday. The backline should feature Ola Aina, Nikola Milenkovic, Morato, and Neco Williams.
As for the midfield unit, there is no looking past Ryan Yates and Elliot Anderson in the double pivot. Morgan Gibbs-White will reprise the no. 10 role, with Anthony Elanga and Nicolas Dominguez being the two wide attackers. Finally, Chris Wood will lead the line for Nottingham Forest against West Ham on Sunday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Yates, Anderson; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Dominguez; Wood
While Chris Wood, Anthony Elanga, and Mohammed Kudus were viable candidates for this section, we have picked Jarrod Bowen as the Player to Watch for Sunday’s Premier League clash between West Ham United and Nottingham Forest at the London Stadium.
The English international has been directly involved in six goals in his last six Premier League games (G4 A2). Bowen is aiming to score in four successive league games at the London Stadium. The most recent West Ham player to achieve that was Jesse Lingard in April 2021. The 28-year-old will be the go-to man for Graham Potter for West Ham to take anything from the game against Nottingham Forest.
West Ham United may have returned to winning ways against Manchester United last week, but they have not been convincing enough at home. On the other hand, Nottingham Forest will struggle to buy a wins right now. So, Sunday’s clash should be a sketchy affair featuring end-to-end action.
Jarrod Bowen and Chris Wood will have the onus on them to produce the goods for their teams and snatch the three points. However, the productive partnership between Wood and Anthony Elanga should shine and deliver a crucial win for the away side. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 victory for Nuno Espirito Santo and his charges.
