Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest have enjoyed an excellent start to the new season, and a win this weekend could see the East Midlands side move into the top four places. Their recent form is even more impressive, considering that they are without the influential Morgan Gibbs-White.
However, Chris Wood’s scoring heroics have made the headlines, with the Kiwi netting seven in nine. Forest are still statistically underperforming in the final third, averaging an xG of 9.10 this term but scoring just seven times. Their low-defensive block is working to perfection though, restricting rivals to five goals from open play despite having an xGA of 9.28.
The 4-2-3-1 formation will be the preferred set-up once again, with Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga operating around the prolific Wood. The wide areas could be where the game is won and lost on Saturday, as Forest will look to directly attacking Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Emerson in the full-back positions.
Julen Lopetegui’s West Ham remain a challenging team to work out this season. A lot was expected following a big summer of spending, but they look to fall short in terms of the quality required to compete for a Champions League spot.
The Hammers have been playing a largely defensive 4-1-4-1 formation this term, with the pace of Michail Antonio utilised to stretch opposing defences. They push the ball up the field to then reach influential players such as Lucas Paqueta and Jarrod Bowen. Their options in the final third will be limited this weekend, as Mohammed Kudus is suspended while Niclas Füllkrug remains sidelined.
Defensively, West Ham are overperforming based on an xGA of 15.79. But they will certainly need to improve the number of goals they are allowing after conceding 13 goals and 111 shots in the Premier League so far this season. Those trends would be worrying for anyone fancying an away win when making a Nottingham Forest vs. West Ham prediction.
Bet hereTo make the most accurate football predictions this weekend, the head-to-head record must be considered.
Home wins have been incredibly common when these sides have met, with each of the last six being won by the team with home field advantage. That includes a 2-0 win for Forest against the Hammers last season.
West Ham’s defensive vulnerabilities are hard to overlook this weekend, especially against a Forest team that will look to counter-attack quickly with pace in the wide areas.
Therefore, it could be a favourable afternoon for the East Midlands side with the tactical setups of both sides suiting the hosts. At the odds of 2.10 available, Forest are an incredibly solid pick in terms of value.
Disciplinary issues have been evident for both Forest and West Ham this term. The East Midlands side are receiving an average of 3.11 yellows per game, while the Hammers have averaged 2.56 per match.
In fact, Forest have averaged over 5.5 cards in 78% of their matches this season, which is the highest average of any Premier League side.
Nicolas Dominguez could be the standout Nottingham Forest vs West Ham prediction to be carded. The Argentinean has already been booked three times this season, and averages 1.3 fouls per match.
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