West Ham United and Nottingham Forest face off at the London Stadium in a clash that could have significant repercussions at the foot of the Premier League table.
With both sides struggling for form and defensive solidity, this encounter is set to be a tense affair, as West Ham look to claw their way out of the relegation zone and Forest aim to put daylight between themselves and the bottom three. Kick-off is set for 20:00 this Tuesday – a fixture with high stakes for both managers and their squads.
Best Bets & Predictions
Based on season-long defensive problems and head-to-head trends, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We’re particularly confident in “Both Teams to Score – Yes” due to both sides’ leaky defences and recent goal output.
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Both Teams to Score – Yes | 4/6 @ Bet365 (60.0%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | The West Ham vs Nottingham Forest fixture is highly likely to see both teams score. West Ham have conceded 23 goals at home, tied for the most in the Premier League, with their home matches seeing BTTS land in 90% of games. Forest, despite their lower league position, have scored in 60% of their away fixtures, averaging 1.0 goals per away game. Given West Ham’s porous home defence and Forest’s consistent ability to find the net on the road, a high-scoring match is anticipated at the London Stadium. |
| Over 2.5 Goals | 10/11 @ Bet365 (52.4%) | ⭐⭐⭐ | The match between West Ham and Nottingham Forest is primed for over 2.5 goals. As of 05/01/26, West Ham’s home matches have seen a high frequency of goals, with 82% of their head-to-head encounters against Forest historically clearing the 2.5 goal line. This season, West Ham’s average goals conceded per match is 2.05, while Forest’s is 1.65. With West Ham’s average goals per game at 1.05 and Forest’s at 0.95, the combined offensive and defensive frailties point towards a high-scoring affair at the London Stadium. |
Odds correct at the time of writing.
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West Ham vs Nottingham Forest match odds
How both teams head into West Ham vs Nottingham Forest
West Ham’s 2025/26 Premier League campaign has been defined by a catastrophic defensive record, leaving them languishing in the relegation zone. The Hammers sit in 18th place with a meagre 14 points from 20 matches, yielding a poor 0.70 points per game. Their primary issue is a porous defence, having conceded a league-high 41 goals, averaging 2.05 goals conceded per match.
Offensively, they have struggled for consistency, scoring only 21 goals (1.05 per game). Jarrod Bowen remains their top scorer with 6 goals, but the team’s overall goal difference of -20 highlights the significant imbalance between their attack and defence, placing them firmly in a relegation battle.
Nottingham Forest’s 2025/26 season has been a battle for mid-table security, marked by inconsistency. Forest sit in 17th place with 18 points from 20 matches, averaging 0.90 points per game. Their defensive record is a concern, having conceded 30 goals at a rate of 1.5 goals per match.
Offensively, they have scored 19 goals (0.95 per game), with their Expected Goals (xG) of 23.69 suggesting they have underperformed their attacking potential. Morgan Gibbs-White and Callum Hudson-Odoi are tied as their top scorers with 3 goals each. While their home form has provided a slight cushion, their overall goal difference of -11 indicates a challenging second half of the season ahead.
West Ham team news
West Ham face a significant squad depletion for the Forest clash. As of 05/01/26, the Hammers are without key players due to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), notably El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal). Additionally, they have several injury concerns, including first-team goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski with a back injury, expected out until mid-January. These absences, particularly in defence and midfield, exacerbate their existing defensive frailties, which have seen them concede a league-high 41 goals this season, further complicating their bid for a much-needed win.
Nottingham Forest team news
Nottingham Forest are significantly impacted by international duty and injuries. As of 05/01/26, they are missing key players due to AFCON, including defensive stalwart Willy Boly and midfielder Ibrahim Sangaré. Furthermore, they have injury concerns with striker Chris Wood (knee) and midfielder Ryan Yates (thigh) both sidelined. These absences severely weaken their spine, especially in midfield, which could further compromise a defence that has already conceded 30 goals this season, potentially increasing the goal threat from West Ham.
Season Form & Standings
Both teams are deep in the relegation scrap. Nottingham Forest sit 17th on 18 points, while West Ham United are below them in 18th with just 14 points after 20 matches each. Neither side has managed to string together consistent results, but Forest’s slightly better defensive record and marginally higher pass accuracy give them a slim advantage.
| Team | Pos | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | 17 | 20 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 19 | 33 | -14 | 18 |
| West Ham United | 18 | 20 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 21 | 41 | -20 | 14 |
Head-to-Head: Last 7 Meetings
Recent meetings have been fiercely contested, with Nottingham Forest edging the all-time Premier League record by four wins to three over West Ham and no draws. Most matches have featured goals at both ends, adding intrigue to the betting markets.
| Date | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 31/08/25 | Nottingham Forest 0-3 West Ham United | Premier League |
| 18/05/25 | West Ham United 1-2 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 02/11/24 | Nottingham Forest 3-0 West Ham United | Premier League |
| 17/02/24 | Nottingham Forest 2-0 West Ham United | Premier League |
| 12/11/23 | West Ham United 3-2 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 25/02/23 | West Ham United 4-0 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 14/08/22 | Nottingham Forest 1-0 West Ham United | Premier League |
Conclusion
With both teams desperate for points and recent head-to-heads delivering goals, this matchup looks set for more drama. Will Forest’s marginally superior defence and creativity be enough to see off West Ham’s home advantage? Our final thoughts: “Both Teams to Score – Yes” stands out, with 4/6 @ Bet365 (60.0% implied probability) offering stand-out value given both sides’ defensive frailties and recent scoring trends.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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