West Ham host Nottingham Forest in a huge relegation six-pointer showdown at the foot of the Premier League.
Victory would move Nuno Espirito Santo’s Hammers to within one point of safety, which is currently held by his former team in 17th position.
Forest however can open a seven-point gap to the drop zone and the Hammers if they win this match.
Team News
Lucas Paqueta is a doubt for West Ham after he missed their 3-0 defeat at Wolves due to a back injury.
Jean-Clair Todibo faces a late fitness test after he too was absent due to a groin injury.
El Hadji Malick Diouf, Aaron Wan-Bissaka (both international duty) and Lukasz Fabianski (back) remain absent.
New signing, Taty Castellanos is set to be in contention after he was registered in time
Forest could be without goalkeeper, John Victor after he suffered a calf injury during their 3-1 loss at Aston Villa.
Callum Hudson-Odoi (Achilles) and Dan Ndoye (thigh) face late fitness checks.
Willy Boly, Ibrahim Sangare (both international duty), Chris Wood (knee) and Ryan Yates (hamstring) are still ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
West Ham host Forest at London Stadium on Tuesday 6 January at 8pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- West Ham have won three of their last seven meetings against Forest (W3, L4).
- Forest have won just one of their three previous visits to West Ham’s current home – London Stadium (W1, L2).
- Jarrod Bowen has scored in each of West Ham’s last two home games against Forest (W1, L1).
- West Ham have failed to keep a clean sheet in 17 league games since their 3-0 win at Forest in August (W2, D5, L10).
- Forest are unbeaten in the league this season when they scored the opening goal in five of their 20 matches (W4, D1).
Prediction
After a disastrously lacklustre display at Wolves following their initial bright start, West Ham defensively were simply sloppy to put it straight amidst an attack which often lacked intensity and pace in contrast to Wolves who were more energetic and clinically ruthless.
Forest in contrast were like Wolves attack wise minus sharp end product at Villa, yet their defensive play was as sloppy as West Ham and deservedly punished, so I would like to see them tighten up at the back but be more clinically polished up front because this is a good opportunity for them to pull a gap.
West Ham though know that this is an absolute must-win game so I expect a huge response from them, but if Paqueta is unavailable and Forest can recover at least one of Hudson-Odoi or Ndoye for this clash, I do fancy the Tricky Trees to get the win to heap more misery on the Hammers.
Prediction: West Ham 1-2 Nottingham Forest
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