Nottingham Forest have been one of the surprise packages of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign as they sit up in seventh spot.
The efforts of Nuno Espirito Santo are being recognised with the Portuguese boss having been nominated for October’s Premier League Manager of the Month award.
Forest will be coming up against a West Ham United side who are five points adrift of them following their win against Manchester United last weekend.
And there will be some concerns going into the game from those at Forest with four injury concerns ahead of the game against West Ham.
But West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has already admitted he’s expecting a more difficult game against Forest than they had against the Red Devils.
Julen Lopetegui makes Nottingham Forest and Man United comparison
West Ham got back to winning ways last weekend with a late winner against United which actually saw them leapfrog them in the table.
But speaking to the media ahead of their trip to the City Ground, Lopetegui admitted he’s expecting a tougher game against the Reds.
“Very tough, very tough match. In my opinion they are playing very well, they are competing very well, they are good, very good players, strong players, physical, technically good coach, and they have very clear idea,” said the West Ham boss.
“So that’s why they have 16 points, and they are making a a very, very brilliant start. They were able to win against Liverpool and more matches, so this is one kind of match that the demanding is going to be very, very high for us, and we have to be ready because I am sure that it’s going to be a very, very strong and difficult challenge for us.”
“For sure the next always is the more difficult match is always is the next. Manchester we played and now you asked me about Nottingham. I repeat, I think that is one kind of team that is very, very difficult for all the teams and for us too so we have to be ready.”
Forest face difficult run of fixtures after West Ham
Although the Hammers showed they are capable of providing some of the bigger sides in the league a real test, Forest must be looking to take all three points.
The Reds have some seriously tricky fixtures coming up which could put a real spanner in the works after what has been a stunning start to the season.
There are certainly going to be some games where Forest are likely going to drop some points with games away to Arsenal and Manchester City coming up.
What will be interesting is to see Forest test themselves against United following the comparison made by Lopetegui.
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