Nottingham Forest are aiming for three successive victories over West Ham for the first time in 41 years, although they're winless in eight visits to East London, dating back to 1997, losing each of the last five.
West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest preview
Can Nottingham Forest keep their Champions League dreams alive? In recent weeks, the Garibaldi Reds' top five dreams have started to just slip away, most-recently held to a 2-2 draw by Leicester last Sunday.
After falling behind, goals from Morgan Gibbs-White and then Chris Wood had them on course for three vital points, only to concede an equaliser just nine minutes from time. Nuno Espírito Santo's side have therefore won just one of their last six, although this point did guarantee Forest will feature in European competition for the first time since 1995/96, but it remains to be seen which one.
At the start of the weekend, Forest are seventh, one point below both Aston Villa and Chelsea. They do welcome Chelsea to the City Ground on the final day, so two wins would guarantee they finish above the Blues, needing Villa to slip-up at some point. In short, both of Forest's two remaining matches are must win if they harbour any hopes of gatecrashing the top five, starting here.
Well, West Ham United might just be the team you want to face in a must-win scenario, albeit they did show some signs of life a week ago. Last Sunday, the Hammers easily swatted aside Manchester United, with goals from Tomáš Souček and then Jarrod Bowen securing their first victory at Old Trafford for 18 years.
Prior to this, Graham Potter's team had been without a win in eight, albeit this victory did propel them up to 15th, above both Man United and fierce rivals Spurs.
At home however, the Irons have won just two of eight matches under Potter, claiming a miserly five victories at the London Stadium all season, their fewest number of home wins since being relegated in 2010/11. The Hammers have though won each of their last five home games against Nottingham Forest, so can they put the final nail into their visitors' Champions League dreams?
West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 121.
- West Ham United Wins: 48. Draws: 26. Nottingham Forest Wins: 47.
West Ham United team news
Crysencio Summerville and Michail Antonio remain sidelined long-term, but it will be interesting to see if Graham Potter restores Niclas Füllkrug to the starting lineup, or if Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen are once again deployed as unorthodox strikers.
Elsewhere, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was surprisingly deployed on the left against his former team last Sunday, but could return to the right here, with Emerson back in the team.
Lastly, Łukasz Fabiański, Vladimír Coufal, Aaron Cresswell and Danny Ings will all be released this summer, with the quartet therefore waving goodbye to the London Stadium after this match.
West Ham United predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest: (5-3-2): Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Kilman, Todibo, Cresswell, Emerson; Rodríguez, Ward-Prowse, Souček; Kudus, Bowen.
West Ham United player to watch vs Nottingham Forest
Jarrod Bowen took his tally to 12 goals for the season last Sunday, while he's previously netted four times against Forest, one of which came when the pair last met in East London.
Nottingham Forest team news
Taiwo Awoniyi remains in hospital, having spent time in a medically induced coma after suffering a serious abdominal injury against Leicester last Sunday, and we all wish the striker well. Meantime, both Murillo and Callum Hudson-Odoi remain doubts, and the absence of both would be a big blow.
Morato deputised at the back last weekend, while Nicolás Domínguez got the nod out-wide, with Ibrahim Sangaré handed a rare start at the base of midfield, chosen over Ryan Yates and Danilo.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs West Ham United: (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenković, Morato, Williams; Anderson, Sangaré, Domínguez, Elanga, Gibbs-White; Wood.
Nottingham Forest player to watch vs West Ham United
Chris Wood headed home his 20th of the season last Sunday, while the New Zealander has eight career goals against West Ham to his name, only netting against Brighton, Leicester and Huddersfield with greater frequency.
West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest prediction
This is unlikely to be a high-scoring thriller, and we are forecasting yet more dropped points by Forest, thereby all but ending their Champions League dreams: West Ham United 1-1 Nottingham Forest.
West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest FAQs
How to watch West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest on TV
West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Main Event, Premier League & Ultra HD.
- USA: Peacock, USA Network & UNIVERSO
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network Canada
How to watch West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest on live stream
West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV.
- USA: Peacock, USA Network & UNIVERSO
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest?
West Ham United vs Nottingham Forest takes place on Sunday 18 May 2025, with kick off at 14:15 (BST), 9:15 (EDT) & 6:15 (PDT).