West Ham head to Nottingham Forest in what is looking like a fork in the road moment for both their seasons.
Did you know that half-time of this weekend’s match represents exactly the quarter-way stage of the Premier League season?
So things are starting to take some shape now and that will ramp up further when games come thick and fast after the November international break. Yes there’s another one.
Nottingham Forest have had a flying start to the campaign and have lost just once ahead of the clash with West Ham.
In fact Forest are looking to make some recent club history by winning three consecutive top flight games for the first time in decades.
West Ham meanwhile are looking to secure consecutive league wins victories for the first time under Julen Lopetegui – and first time since February.
If you looked at the contrast in publicity surrounding the Hammers and Nottingham Forest you could be forgiven for thinking one was top of the league and the other bottom.
But the Hammers can actually go just two points behind Nottingham Forest with a win.
In fairness Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been an excellent watch.
The Hammers have the edge in this fixture historically with 48 wins to Forest’s 46.
Although home advantage has been key in these games since the Tricky Trees’ return to the top flight with West Ham losing twice at the City Ground and the same being true for them at the London Stadium.
But how do the so-called experts see it going?
Well the big five pundits are all in agreement about West Ham’s chances of win at Nottingham Forest.
None hold out much hope of a Hammers victory. Although not all believe they’ll lose.
Shearer: Forest star the difference maker against West Ham
Alan Shearer thinks Chris Wood will be the difference maker.
“Nottingham Forest were impressive last week and there’s no doubt Nuno has something going there,” Shearer told The Metro.
“West Ham were dreadful in the first half against Man United but were much better in the second half.
“With Forest at home and the confidence they’ve got, I think they’ll beat West Ham, especially with the form of Chris Wood – I have been hugely impressed with him in front of goal.
“Wood is in the form of his life and his goal last week epitomised a forward in-form with great confidence.
“It’s an incredible feeling going out onto the football pitch expecting to score and he’s in that vein of form at the moment, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he gets another goal this weekend.”
Sky Sports boffin: Forest’s tactics and Summerville key
One of Sky Sports’ leading analysts and experts Lewis Jones – aka Jones Knows – is predicting West Ham can take a point in a 1-1 draw.
In a much more detailed take, Jones believes Forest’s tactics and Crysencio Summerville’s ability to win corners could be key but thinks the hosts will score.
“As this excellent piece by Adam Bate outlines, Nottingham Forest allow their opponent to enter their defensive third more than any other side and yet concede among the fewest chances in the Premier League,” Jones says.
“This style of play is working a charm for Nuno Espirito Santo but it’s this ploy of defending deep that is allowing opposition to post some attractive corner counts against them. Forest have conceded 6.2 corners per game this season.
“The introduction of Crysencio Summerville to the West Ham starting XI should help boost their corner winning ability as the winger likes to drive to the by-line. Only Jack Clarke (76) won more corners last season in the Championship than Summerville (65) and he’s already won four corners for the Hammers in just 200 minutes of action. 1-1.”
Lawro: Hammers have turned corner but Wood too good
Mark Lawrenson, who infamously rarely backed West Ham when doing predictions for the BBC, agrees with Jones, backing a 1-1 draw.
Lawrenson thinks West Ham turned a corner in the second half against Man United.
But he believes Forest and the Hammers will cancel each other out.
“That penalty that West Ham got to beat Manchester United was absolutely, totally, ridiculous but they got the win,” Lawro said.
“Forest had that good win against Leicester and Chris Wood can’t stop scoring. I can see these two cancelling each other out as West Ham have turned the corner a little bit. Nottingham Forest 1-1 West Ham. 1-1.”
Merson: West Ham have clicked but not firing on all cylinders yet
Paul Merson seems to be a bit conflicted about the Hammers at Nottingham Forest.
On the one hand Merson believes West Ham ‘clicked’ against Man United and ‘deserved’ the win.
But he still isn’t convinced Lopetegui’s side are firing on all cylinders yet, backing Forest for the victory.
“Nottingham Forest are flying at the moment, but they’re a much better team away from home,” Merson told Sportskeeda.
“You’ve got to play West Ham at the right time if you need to win. They clicked the other day against Manchester United. You could say they were lucky, but they deserved to win in the end.
“Forest win this game, they could move a lot closer to safety. They’re already on 16 points and with how things have gone this season, 30 points might just be enough for teams to ensure they stay in the division.
“I have a feeling West Ham are still not firing on all cylinders at the moment and that’s why I’m backing Forest to win this game. 2-1.”
Sutton: Not convinced at all by West Ham under Lopetegui
To complete the misery for West Ham, Chris Sutton is ‘not at all convinced’ by them under Lopetegui.
He too has named Wood as the man to make the difference in a 2-1 home win.
“West Ham got a good result against Manchester United last week which will have done them a lot of good, but I still feel they were fortunate to win that game,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“I’m not talking about their late penalty that gave them victory, more the fact United should have been out of sight by half-time. So, am I convinced the Hammers have turned thing round under Julen Lopetegui? No, not at all.
“In contrast, Nottingham Forest are flying and I really like the way they are playing this season – they have a nice balance to their team.
“I was born in Nottingham and used to support Forest as a kid and, the way they are playing, I am going to go back to supporting them.
“You can call me a fair weather fan if you want, but I like forests – I am a big fan of Sherwood on iPlayer too – and I like woods too, especially Chris Wood.
“The ‘Wood-chopper’ is one of the most under-rated strikers of the Premier League era. I am backing him to score again, and Forest to win again. 2-1.”
The good news for West Ham is that Wood may not even make the game.
Wood is a big injury doubt for Forest along with three other key stars.
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