(Photo by OSCAR DEL POZO / AFP)

Nottingham Forest v West Ham Odds, Preview, and Tips

Game time & date: 1400 BST, Sunday August 14
Location: City Ground, Nottingham
Last result between the two: Forest 5-0 West Ham, FA Cup, January 2014
Broadcast: Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League

The City Ground will host Premier League football for the first time this century at the weekend with West Ham the visitors for what should be an unforgettable occasion for all fans of Nottingham Forest.

Both of these sides lost on the opening weekend, with Forest going down 2-0 away to Newcastle United and West Ham outclassed by the same scoreline at home to the defending champions Manchester City.

Nottingham Forest ready for top-flight return

Forest have been busy in the transfer market and Steve Cooper’s side understandably looked quite disjointed on the opening weekend, with time needed for their new players to gel into the system.

One fresh face who will be out to impress on Sunday is Jesse Lingard, who reportedly rejected an offer to return to West Ham, where he thrived on loan, in order to join Cooper’s revolution at Forest instead.

The 9/1 with Bet365 for Lingard to score the opening goal certainly stands out as a big price: the England international netted nine Premier League goals in just 16 appearances for the Hammers in 20-21. Lingard is likely to be given a relatively free role as a number 10 to knit together Forest’s attacking moves.

New signing Taiwo Awoniyi is likely to be handed his first Premier League start after the striker came off the bench last weekend and goalkeeper Dean Henderson will be hoping for a better performance this time out after he was arguably at fault for Fabian Schar’s long-range opener at Newcastle a week ago.

Defensive injury crisis at West Ham

West Ham offered little in their Premier League opener and David Moyes will be demanding a better performance this time out, with the Scot hoping for positive news on the injury front as well.

Craig Dawson was missing last weekend, along with his fellow defenders Angelo Ogbonna and summer signing Nayef Aguerd. Kurt Zouma limped through the second half against City, while Ben Johnson struggled to keep the champions at bay on his first league start as a centre-back. New captain Declan Rice, who took the armband after Mark Noble retired, may be an emergency option at the back.

West Ham were toothless in attack against City, mustering a single shot on target, and Moyes must decide whether new striker Gianluca Scamacca should replace Michail Antonio up front. Moyes could also opt to field the duo as a front two, which might see Manuel Lanzini drop down to the bench.

Given both of these sides struggled to create chances on the opening weekend, a tight affair with few goals seems likely, so the 10/11 with Bet365 for under 2.5 goals is a strong selection for this one.

Nottingham Forest v West Ham odds & predictions

This could be the ideal time to face West Ham given their defensive issues, while the City Ground is likely to be loud and proud as Forest mark the club’s long-awaited return to the Premier League fold.

The 7/2 on a home win for Forest therefore appeals at Bet365, with 1-0 perhaps the likeliest scoreline at 14/1. It would be ideal for the game’s narrative if ex-Hammers loan star Lingard was to find the net and adding him to score first in a 1-0 Forest win takes the price up to a bumper 60/1 at Bet365.

Lingard to score first at 9/1 is another good option while the 10/11 at Bet365 for U2.5 goals appeals too.

Author: Jamie Smith