The stars may be aligning for Julen Lopetegui to get his first back-to-back wins as West Ham boss when they head to Nottingham Forest.
An intriguing Premier League clash awaits West Ham and Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
The Hammers got a much-needed boost by beating Man United 2-1 last weekend.
Nottingham Forest meanwhile are absolutely flying.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have lost just once in the Premier League all season so far.
Despite their contrasting starts to the season, West Ham can actually go just two points behind seventh-placed Forest with a win.
History says this fixture is nip and tuck.
The Hammers hold the edge with 48 wins to Forest’s 46 with 26 draws.
Since Forest’s return to the top flight, there have been two wins each.
West Ham believe Forest missing four of their best
Home advantage has been key with Nottingham Forest beating West Ham 1-0 and 2-0 at the City Ground. The latter coming back in February this year.
The Hammers have beaten Forest 3-2 and 4-0 on their own patch.
Forest are a side in fine form and a team that’s playing some exciting football.
West Ham know they will have to be at their best to come away with a win.
In many respects facing Nottingham Forest away is actually a tougher test than Man United for the Irons.
Especially with the form the likes of top scorer Chris Wood is in.
Well that’s where there might be some very good news for the east Londoners.
Julen Lopetegui will be relieved as West Ham believe Nottingham Forest will be missing four of their best players for the Premier League clash.
Major relief for Lopetegui as Hammers make claim
The Spaniard already doesn’t have to worry about James Ward-Prowse coming back to haunt him.
Many have questioned the decision to loan out the set piece specialist.
That’s despite many Forest fans being far from impressed with Ward-Prowse.
Ward-Prowse is ineligible to face West Ham as per Premier League rules on loan deals.
However, in their official preview for the match, West Ham think four other top Forest stars will miss the game.
They’re not just any players either.
The Hammers believe that man Wood and key playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White will join Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare in being unavailable.
“For Forest, top scorer Chris Wood suffered a knock against Leicester in their last game, and Morgan Gibbs-White is a doubt after being sidelineHad for his team’s previous two fixtures,” West Ham state in the club’s official preview for the match.
“James Ward-Prowse is ineligible to face his parent club, while Danilo and Ibrahim Sangare are both expected to be out.”
West Ham boss anticipates tough test
What a massive boost that would be for West Ham.
Wood is on fire and Gibbs-White is someone Hammers fans liked the thought of signing when they were open to selling Lucas Paqueta.
Sources have indicated ‘ruthless’ Lopetegui is making three major changes for Forest.
West Ham will definitely be without suspended star boy Mohammed Kudus.
And there’s been a big update from the Hammers top brass on Kudus today.
There was also some confusion over the availability of a top West Ham star which has been clarified by Lopetegui.
The Hammers head coach is anticipating a tough game for his side at Forest.
“They are playing very well at the moment, and competing very well,” Lopetegui said in his press conference.
“They have good, technical players, and a very good coach, with clear ideas, and that’s why they’re doing so well in the league.
“They’ve beaten the likes of Liverpool, so we know this is going to be a demanding match, and we have to be ready. We’re expecting it to be a very big challenge for us, but I think the Premier League is the best competition in the world, so it’s like that every week!”
Related Posts
