West Ham host Nottingham Forest in a genuine Premier League relegation six-pointer at the London Stadium tonight.
Both sides come into the game in horrid form having lost eight of their last combined nine games. West Ham picked up the only point in a 2-2 draw with Brighton in their last home clash but followed it up with a shambolic 3-0 loss at rock-bottom Wolves.
They are four points behind Forest and know a loss to Sean Dyche's side will leave them in even more serious threat of relegation for the first time in 15 years.
To make things even juicier, this will be the first time Nuno Espirito Santo comes up against his former club since his controversial departure from the City Ground at the start of the season
Who will win prevail in this critical clash? AllSportsPeople brings you our latest football tips and a big price bet builder for the match!
West Ham vs. Forest Prediction: Who Will Win Tonight?
Neither side can buy a win at the moment but Forest have a better side on paper than West Ham and were doing well prior to their festive blip.
Sean Dyche's side will fancy scoring a few goals against the league's worst defence (41 conceded) and will know an early goal could lead to the tension rising among a disgruntled home fanbase.
It won't be a pretty game but expect Forest to beat their old boss and plunge the Irons further into the Premier League abyss.
Score Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest (9/1 with Bet365)
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Head-to-Head: West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest
- The two clubs have met on 75 previous occasions with Forest just shading the wins - 31 to 29.
- Forest did the double over West Ham last season, winning 2-1 at the London Stadium.
- Their last game came in August when the Irons beat their current manager Nuno 3-0 in what was his final day in charge of Forest.
West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest: Form Guide
West Ham– Last 5 matches (All competitions)
- Wolves 3-0 West Ham (Premier League)
- West Ham 2-2 Brighton (Premier League)
- West Ham 0-1 Fulham (Premier League)
- Manchester City 3-0 West Ham (Premier League)
- West Ham 2-3 Aston Villa (Premier League)
Nottingham Forest – Last 5 matches (All competitions)
- Aston Villa 3-1 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- Nottingham Forest 0-2 Everton (Premier League)
- Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester City (Premier League)
- Fulham 1-0 Nottingham Forest (Premier League)
- Nottingham Forest 3-0 Tottenham (Premier League)
West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest Betting Tips
Both sides are fighting for this lives so we expect to see goals and cards tonight. These are the betting angles we would consider:
- The two teams both to score is a good pick at 3/4 with AK Bets while over 3.5 cards is at slightly better odds of evens with Paddy Power.
- Omari Hutchinson is coming into some form (0.70 xGI across the last two matches) and the former Chelsea man is 7/2 with Sky Bet to net on his latest return to London.
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West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest Team News, Injury List
West Ham Team News
- The only positive from the horror show at Molineux was there was no further injuries. Lucas Paqueta and Jean-Clair Todibo missed out but could be back for this one.
- Soungoutou Magassa and Freddie Potts were both withdrawn at half time so Tomas Soucek can expect to start in place of one of them.
Nottingham Forest Team News
- John Victor had a day to forget at Villa Park and appeared to have suffered a calf injury in his calamitous decision to rush out of his goal.
- Even if he is fit, regular first-choice Matz Sels is set to return between the sticks.
- Callum Hudson-Odoi and Dan Ndoye are touch and go having sat out Saturday's loss.
West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest Lineups: Predicted Starting XI’s
This is how we think the two teams will line up at the London Stadium with Tomas Soucek coming in for the Irons and Matz Sels back in the Nottingham Forest goal.
West Ham predicted lineup to play Nottingham Forest
Areola (GK) – Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Julio, Scarles – Soucek, Potts – Bowen, Fernandes, Summerville – Wilson
- Out: Diouf, Wan-Bissaka (both AFCON)
- Doubtful: Paqueta, Todibo
- Suspension: N/A
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup to play West Ham
Sels (GK) – Savona, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams – Anderson, Dominguez – Hutchinson, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi – Jesus
- Out: Wood, Yates, Sangare, Boly (both AFCON)
- Doubtful: Victor, Hudson-Odoi, Ndoye
- Suspension: N/A
What are the odds for West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest?
- West Ham to win: 11/5 with Bet365
- Nottingham Forest to win: 11/8 with AK Bets
- Draw: 5/2 with AK Bets
Bet Builder Tips Today: West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest
Our favourite bet builder for West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest tonight is the visitors to win, both teams to score, over 3.5 cards and Omari Hutchinson to score anytime. That came in at 16.5/1 with Paddy Power at the time of writing.
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Is West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest on TV?
- Date: Tuesday, January 6
- Venue: London Stadium, London
- Time: 20:00 GMT
- TV/Stream: Sky Sports / Sky Go
When did Nuno get sacked from Forest?
Nuno Espirito Santo was sacked by Nottingham Forest on September 8 having taken four points from their opening three Premier League games of the 2025/26 season. His sacking came just three months after he had signed a new three-year contract with Forest, designed to keep him at the club until the summer of 2028.