Sky Sports host Jeff Stelling predicts result of West Ham United clash with Nottingham Forest
Jeff Stelling has predicted West Ham to bounce back and record their first win of the season when they travel to Nottingham Forest this weekend.
The Hammers head to the City Ground on Sunday (14 August) looking to get points on the board after their loss to Manchester City in the opener, while newly-promoted Forest are hoping to do the same after they were soundly beaten by Newcastle on their return to the top flight.
On his Super6 predictions for Sky Sports Stelling believes the Irons will record a 2-1 away win to get themselves back on track after a turbulent couple of weeks.
An injury crisis at centre-back has left David Moyes short, forcing him to field Ben Johnson in the first game against superstar striker Erling Haaland, who scored both goals in the 2-0 win, and defensive help is now a priority.
Rebound
There is no room for sentimentality this weekend, as the first top flight meeting between the two sides for over two decades is the opportunity to prevent Steve Cooper’s side finding their feet yet back in the division.
It is going to be a formidable atmosphere as their fans fill the ground for Premier League football for the first time since 1999, but after the disappointment of the City defeat they are the right sort of opponents to get a result from.
Jesse Lingard is sure to be a key focus as the Hammers players attempt to show him he made a mistake to snub joining them.
He made an inauspicious start in the North-East last week and Moyes will be desperate to ensure he doesn’t manage to rectify that against the side he had so much success for on loan previously.
Missing out on him and Amadou Onana will surely go down as two of the biggest disappointments of the transfer window.
The latter’s sudden switch to Everton, coupled with the opening game loss, has dampened some of the enthusiasm around West Ham after a solid summer of business.
And if some of the new signings can make a greater impact after a week more training with their new side that should provide a major boost.