Chris Sutton predicts result of West Ham United v Nottingham Forest, both ‘need a victory’
West Ham United and Nottingham Forest are both in need of a victory in their upcoming Premier League encounter.
That is according to BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton, who has predicted Forest to win the match on Saturday (17 February) 2-1.
The City Ground plays host to the Premier League clash, with the home side currently 16th in the table, with the Hammers in eighth.
“It’s fair to say that both these teams need a victory – neither side has managed one in the league in 2024 – and this is a hard one to call,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“The usual way of thinking with West Ham would be to ask if they are going to bounce back from their 6-0 home defeat by Arsenal.
“I am going to say they won’t. We know David Moyes’ teams have been resilient in the past but I can’t back anyone who has been beaten that heavily the previous week – it is not just a case of clicking your fingers and turning it around.
“The Hammers surely can’t be as lax as they were against Arsenal, but I am going with Nottingham Forest to find a way through.”
West Ham to come out on top?
It is true that the Hammers and Forest could do with taking all three points from this one, with both clubs having endured torrid starts to the year. But it is Forest who are in more urgent need of a win, with pressure mounting on manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
The club’s new manager bounce is well and truly over, although he will still have the full backing of the City Ground crowd on Saturday. The home supporters will be doing their utmost to provide a hostile atmosphere for David Moyes and his players.
The visitors meanwhile will be desperate to give the travelling fans something to smile about, having been smashed 6-0 by Arsenal at the London Stadium last time out.
It could be a cagey affair in Nottingham, with neither club wanting to make a mistake in this important league clash. If there is pressure on Nuno, there is certainly pressure on Moyes, even though he has done a very admirable job at West Ham once again this season.
In other West Ham news, Alan Shearer has reacted after what one “devastating” Arsenal player did to the Hammers during their recent clash.
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