West Ham vs Nottingham Forest: A Battle at the Bottom

18th place meets 17th place. This is essentially a 6-pointer. West Ham is winless in 9 consecutive games, while Forest is on a 4-game losing streak. This match at the London Stadium on January 6th, one of them must escape the dark tunnel. Otherwise, they'll fall deeper into the relegation zone.

West Ham (18th)

• ●Season Record: 3 wins, 5 draws, 12 losses (20 games) / Goal Difference: -20
• ●Goals Scored: 21 goals / Goals Conceded: 41 goals
• ●Last 9 Games: Winless (0 wins!)
• ●Last 6 Games: 0 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses
• ●Average Goals Scored: 0.83 goals / Average Goals Conceded: 2.17 goals
• ●Home Possession: 41%
• ●Home Average Goals Conceded: 2 goals
• ●Home Last 12 Games: 67% Losses
• ●Home Last 15 Games: 13 Winless Games (87%)
• ●Last 30 Games: 25 Winless Games (83%)
• ●Last 21 Games: 8 Games Lost by 2 or More Goals

West Ham is collapsing. They are winless in 9 consecutive games. They have failed to win 83% of their last 30 games. Even at home, they are winless in 13 of their last 15 games. They are scoring 0.83 goals per game while conceding 2.17 goals. The defense has completely collapsed. A goal difference of -20 means they are losing about 1 goal per game.

Nottingham Forest (17th)

• ●Season Record: 5 wins, 3 draws, 12 losses / Goal Difference: -14
• ●Goals Scored: 19 goals / Goals Conceded: 33 goals
• ●Last 4 Games: 4 Consecutive Losses!
• ●Average Goals Scored in Last 6 Games: 1.17 goals / Average Goals Conceded: 1.5 goals
• ●Shots: 12 / Shots on Target: 5
• ●Away Last 6 Games: 3 Wins (50%)
• ●Away Last 7 Games Clean Sheets: 3 times
• ●Away Last 12 Games: 50% Losses
• ●Last 6 League Games: 83% Winless
• ●Last 15 Games: 10 Losses (67%)

Forest is also struggling. They are on a 4-game losing streak and have lost 10 of their last 15 games. However, they are slightly better away from home. They have won 3 of their last 6 away games and have recorded 3 clean sheets in 7 games. They seem to be in better shape than West Ham. With 12 shots and 5 shots on target, their attacking attempts are also decent.

When they met at the City Ground earlier in the season, West Ham won convincingly 3-0.

• ●Possession: West Ham 42% vs Forest 58%
• ●Shots: West Ham 12 vs Forest 11
• ●Shots on Target: West Ham 8 vs Forest 3
• ●Dangerous Attacks: Forest 71 vs West Ham 36
• ●Goals: Bowen, Paqueta (PK), Callum Wilson (all in the last 10 minutes of the second half!)

It was an interesting game. Forest dominated with 58% possession and created 71 dangerous attacks, but only had 3 shots on target. West Ham scored 3 goals in the last 10 minutes of the second half to secure a convincing victory. It was a nightmarish game for Forest.

West Ham's Home Rebound

Nuno Espirito Santo is desperate. They are winless in 9 consecutive games. They are likely to field a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 formation.

Bowen will likely play as a lone striker, with Paqueta and Summerville supporting from the flanks. Magassa and Fernandes will be responsible for the midfield, and Kilman and Todibo will guard the defense.

Bowen and Paqueta scored in the last game. If these two players come alive, they can break through Forest once again. The problem is that they have only been scoring 0.83 goals per game recently. Their finishing is at its lowest.

The defense is also serious. They are conceding 2.17 goals per game. Todibo and Kilman need to concentrate, but their recent form is not good.

Forest's Away Counterattack

Sean Dyche will also have many concerns. They are on a 4-game losing streak. They are likely to field a 4-2-3-1 or 5-3-2 formation.

Igor Jesus will likely play as a lone striker, with Gibbs-White and Hudson-Odoi supporting from the flanks. Dominguez and Anderson will be responsible for the midfield, and Milenkovic and Murillo will guard the defense.

They have won 3 of their last 6 away games. They have also recorded 3 clean sheets in 7 games. With West Ham's attack only scoring 0.83 goals per game, they can secure points if they defend well.

1. West Ham's Home Nightmare

West Ham has failed to win 13 of their last 15 games at home. The London Stadium has become a grave instead of a fortress. They could be pushed back by Forest, who have a 50% win rate away from home.

2. Both Teams' Defensive Instability

West Ham is conceding 2.17 goals per game, while Forest is conceding 1.5 goals. Both defenses are unstable. It could be a game with many goals. The first goal is really important in this game.

3. Gibbs-White's Performance

If Forest wants to win, Gibbs-White must come alive. He needs to trouble the West Ham defense with creative passes and dribbling. There will be many opportunities as the West Ham defense is very shaky.

West Ham Trends

• ●Last 9 Games: Winless
• ●Last 30 Games: 83% Winless (25 games)
• ●Home Last 15 Games: 87% Winless (13 games)
• ●Home Last 12 Games: 67% Losses
• ●Last 21 Games: 8 Games Lost by 2 or More Goals

Forest Trends

• ●Last 4 Games: 4 Consecutive Losses
• ●Last 15 Games: 67% Losses (10 losses)
• ●Last 6 League Games: 83% Winless
• ●However, Away Last 6 Games: 50% Win Rate (3 wins)
• ●Away Last 7 Games Clean Sheets: 3 times

Both teams are in terrible form. West Ham is more serious with 9 winless games, but Forest is also on a 4-game losing streak. However, Forest has been slightly better away from home.

West Ham (4-2-3-1)

• ●GK: Areola
• ●DF: Walker-Peters, Kilman, Todibo, Skalps
• ●MF: Magassa, Fernandes, Paqueta, Potts, Summerville
• ●FW: Bowen

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1)

• ●GK: John Victor
• ●DF: Neco Williams, Murillo, Milenkovic, Savona
• ●MF: Hutchinson, Anderson, Dominguez, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi
• ●FW: Igor Jesus

Predicted Score: West Ham 2-1 Nottingham Forest

West Ham to win. Probability is 44%.

West Ham is likely to decide the game in the second half, like in the last game. A tight battle is expected in the first half. Both teams have unstable defenses, so goals could come quickly.

Bowen or Paqueta could score a goal, and Gibbs-White could also score an equalizer for Forest on a counterattack. However, the most realistic scenario is that West Ham scores an additional goal in the second half and the game ends 2-1.

There is a high chance that Over 2.5 goals will be scored. West Ham is conceding 2.17 goals per game, and Forest is also conceding 1.5 goals. It looks like it will be a chaotic game with many goals.

This is a really important game for West Ham fans. They need to break their 9-game winless streak to escape the relegation zone. Forest fans also need to end their 4-game losing streak. One of them will see the end of the tunnel. The other will fall deeper.

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