West Ham vs Nottingham Forest Tips & Preview - Struggling defences to offer up goals

By Tolu Shotade

05 Jan 2026

Tolu Shotade 05 Jan 2026

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West Ham and Forest seek to revive lackluster seasons.
Both teams have defensive issues but show attacking potential.
Expect a goal-rich encounter as both aim for crucial points.

West Ham vs Nottingham Forest

West Ham welcome Nottingham Forest to the London Stadium for a midweek English Premier League fixture, with both teams looking to jumpstart their campaigns.

Neither side has been at their best this season and will be desperate to find their spark. Both teams will fancy their chances in this one and are likely to go for it in a clash that could produce goals.

West Ham News

West Ham come into this clash off the back of a 3-0 defeat at Wolves in their previous Premier League fixture. All three goals were scored in the first half as the Hammers struggled to get a foothold in the game, failing to muster a single attempt on target.

That result is evidence that things are not getting better at West Ham, who have failed to win their last nine Premier League matches, slipping into the relegation zone. There has also been little respite at home, with Nuno Espitrito Santo's team winless in their last four fixtures at the London Stadium, suffering three defeats on this run.

Defending also remains one of the major problems for West Ham, who are without a clean sheet in their last 10 matches. However, they have scored in four of their last six home matches, with all four fixtures producing over 2.5 goals.

Nottingham Forest News

Nottingham Forest are also coming off a defeat, falling 3-1 at Aston Villa last time out in the Premier League. They were no match for the Villans, with Morgan Rogers’ second-half effort proving to be a mere consolation.

That was the fourth straight defeat for Nottingham Forest, who currently sit just four points above the relegation zone. However, Sean Dyche’s team have done some good work on their travels, with three wins and as many defeats in their last six away matches across all competitions.

Like the hosts, Nottingham Forest have also struggled defensively this season and are without a clean sheet in six of their last seven matches across all competitions. However, they have scored at least one second-half goal in four of their last six away matches, with all four fixtures producing over 2.5 goals.

Head to Head

West Ham have 11 wins while Nottingham Forest have been victorious seven times, with three draws in the last 21 matches. However, the visitors claimed a 2-1 away victory in the last meeting back in May.

Verdict

West Ham v Nottm Forest

It is always an open contest between West Ham and Nottingham Forest, with both teams scoring in eight of the last nine meetings. Eight of those nine fixtures have also produced over 2.5 goals, and a similar outcome could be on the cards here.

Nottingham Forest have a knack for finding the net after the break, having scored at least one second-half goal in four of their last six away matches. That trend is likely to continue in Tuesday’s clash.

Nottingham Forest

Second Half Over 0.5 Goals

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Yes

Both Teams to Score

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Over 2.5

Total Goals

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