Alan Shearer predicts winner of Nottingham Forest v West Ham United, singles out one man
Alan Shearer believes Nottingham Forest will beat West Ham United on Saturday with the help of the Chris Wood, who will be feeling “incredible” right now.
The Hammers travel to the City Ground on 2 November full of confidence after Jarrod Bowen’s contentious 92nd-minute penalty secured a 2-1 win against Manchester United in East London last weekend.
However, Julen Lopetegui will need a gameplan to stop Wood. The 32-year-old has scored seven goals in nine outings for Forest and Shearer believes the home side’s confidence will be too much for West Ham on the day.
“Nottingham Forest were impressive last week and there’s no doubt Nuno has something going there,” Shearer wrote in his Metro predictions column [1 November]. “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.”
West Ham United must use momentum to beat Nottingham Forest
The Hammers’ struggles in the Premier League have been well-documented this season. Still, the circumstances in which the side beat Manchester United last weekend could be a sign that Lopetegui’s luck is beginning to turn in East London.
West Ham retain a slim chance of keeping their European aspirations alive and, with Forest sitting in the final spot for continental qualification in seventh place, the side can finally begin to bridge the five-point gap with a statement victory away from home.
However, Wood is in the form of his life and will be the focal point of everything Nuno Espirito Santo wants to do on Saturday – neutralise him and the three points should be secured.
Jean-Clair Todibo will have a vital role to play – Lopetegui is ready to name the Frenchman as an integral member of his squad and he, alongside Max Kilman, will be required to prove their worth to the Irons and keep one of the most in-form forwards in the Premier League quiet.
Nuno has done a fantastic job at Forest this season and that should act as a reminder to the West Ham supporters of what could be possible if the side stands by Lopetegui, despite falling far below expectations at the London Stadium thus far in his tenure.
Regardless, the pressure of success in East London is vast. The Hammers demand the side perform to the level they deem fit and it is up to the Spaniard to deliver.
Forest are no pushovers and it will surely be a fiercely contested tie at the City Ground, one which could revitalise a dead-rubber season for West Ham.
In other West Ham news, Niclas Fullkrug has been messing around on a German TV show as there is still no clarity on his Hammers return.
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