Nottingham Forest Match Preview

We’re only six days into the New Year and unbelievably, it’s already time for the third midweek fixture programme of the season. If West Ham United fans thought Saturday’s trip to Molineux to face Wolverhampton Wanderers was crucial, then having lost that game, tonight’s encounter with Nottingham Forest in Stratford now takes on even more significance.

If the Hammers had beaten Rob Edwards’ side and then followed that up with three points tonight, then they would have finally propelled themselves out of the relegation zone.

There is no doubt that three points are still critical for them but, with the situation as it is currently, even if they beat the Tricky Trees, it wouldn’t affect their current position, but they would then only be one point behind tonight’s opponents going into the ten-day break they have before their next Premier League fixture away at Tottenham Hotspur on 17 January.

Since the reverse fixture back on 31 August where Graham Potter steered the Irons to a 3-0 success in what was their first Premier League triumph at The City Ground, a certain Nuno Espírito Santo still occupied the home dugout. He then inexplicably departed and Forest have been through two Head-Coaches in that time and they now have former Watford, Burnley and Everton boss Sean Dyche in the hotseat.

Espírito Santo’s task now is to try and help his current club achieve the double over his former employers. If he manages it, the East Londoners will have a first win under their belts since beating newly-promoted Burnley back on 8 November.

Similar to the team’s overall record in Wolverhampton, they don’t often lose when hosting tonight’s opponents. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see if the home side can avenge last season’s defeat and in so doing, finally get back to winning ways.

Neither side have an advantage in terms of preparation for this encounter, but both are looking to bounce back from their weekend defeats, although the home side may also use this game as a morale booster, given the level of performance they put in last time out.

New signing Pablo Felipe wasn’t involved three days ago but could make his full home debut here, while Tomáš Souček is in contention to return in midfield. Jean-Clair Todibo sustained a groin injury against Brighton and Hove Albion a week ago and missed the 3-0 defeat in the Black Country at the weekend. The defender will again be assessed to see if his fitness has improved. Lucas Paquetá may also come back into the starting line-up.

One player who has gone through the Stratford exit door since Saturday is youngster Luis Guilherme, as the club confirmed late on Sunday that the Brazilian has signed a permanent deal with Portuguese outfit Sporting CP.

Whilst Espírito Santo has lost the services of Guilherme, the West Ham Head-Coach did secure his second signing of the current transfer window on Monday, as Argentine forward Valentín Castellanos has emulated fellow new recruit Felipe in signing an initial four-and-a-half-year contract with an option for a further year. Espírito Santo did hint in Monday’s pre-match news conference that he may select him from the start.

The match is an 8pm kick-off and live coverage will be screened by Sky Sports from 7:30pm. The referee is Tony Harrington.