West Ham vs. Nottingham Forest Prediction, Match Preview and Betting Tips, 18 May 2025 - bettingexpert
West Ham United and Nottingham Forest are set to clash at London Stadium on Sunday, 18 May 2025, in what promises to be an intriguing Premier League encounter. As part of the 37th round, this match could have significant implications for both teams, albeit for different reasons.
Nottingham Forest, currently 7th in the league with 62 points, are eyeing a strong finish to secure a European spot next season. Meanwhile, West Ham United, positioned 15th with 40 points, are aiming to solidify their standing and avoid any late-season relegation scares.
Recent form sees West Ham coming off a mixed bag of results (WDLDL), highlighted by a 2-0 away victory over Manchester United. Conversely, Nottingham Forest’s recent results (DDLLW) include draws against Leicester and Crystal Palace, but also losses to Brentford and Manchester City in the FA Cup.
Our match tips suggest a draw might be a solid bet, given both teams’ current form and struggles to consistently secure wins. West Ham showed competitive form by drawing against Tottenham recently, while Nottingham Forest’s last two games ended in draws, reflecting a steady accumulation of points.
Referee Samuel Barrott will officiate, known for his fair share of penalties this season, having awarded five in the 22 matches he’s overseen. The game is set for kick-off at 16:15 and will be broadcast live on Novasports Premier League, with additional streaming options available for fans.
All factors considered, expect a hard-fought, evenly-contested match with both sides keen to end their season positively.
West Ham vs Nottingham Forest Prediction & Betting Tip
Recommending our betting tip for this matchup: a draw. Both teams have demonstrated similar form, making this clash evenly matched. Given the current standings and recent performances, a draw seems a solid bet.
| West Ham vs Nottingham Forest Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting tip | Odds |
| Draw | 3.34 |
- Competitive form: West Ham drew against strong opponents like Tottenham, highlighting their capability to compete.
- Consistency: Nottingham Forest has recently drawn their last two matches, showing a steady accumulation of points.
- Statistical balance: Both teams have struggled to secure consistent wins, reflecting an evenly poised contest.
This prediction blends insights from both current form and statistical patterns, providing an informed betting tip.
West Ham vs Nottingham Forest Odds
Here’s a look at the betting odds for the upcoming clash between West Ham and Nottingham Forest:
| West Ham vs Nottingham Forest Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| West Ham | 2.75 |
| Draw | 3.34 |
| Nottingham Forest | 2.55 |
With Nottingham Forest slightly favored by the bookmakers, this encounter promises to be a tightly contested match.
West Ham’s recent form and home advantage balance against Nottingham Forest’s higher league position and slight edge in bookmaker favorites.
Given the odds, a draw appears to be an appealing choice for punters.
West Ham Team Analysis
West Ham Recent Performance
Recent form: ✅❌🔹❌🔹
Here’s a quick look at West Ham’s recent performances:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | West Ham | 2025-05-11 | Premier League | 0-2 (Win) |
| West Ham | Tottenham | 2025-05-04 | Premier League | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Brighton | West Ham | 2025-04-26 | Premier League | 3-2 (Loss) |
| West Ham | Southampton | 2025-04-19 | Premier League | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Liverpool | West Ham | 2025-04-13 | Premier League | 2-1 (Loss) |
Recent performance for West Ham has been mixed, showing a form of WDLDL in their last five matches.
While they managed to secure a notable 2-0 away victory against Manchester United, draws against Tottenham and Southampton and losses to Brighton and Liverpool indicate inconsistency.
On average, the team has scored 1.40 goals per game in their last five matches, yet they’ve only kept 1 clean sheet, highlighting a strong need to tighten up defensively.
Despite sitting in the 15th position, they are showing signs of competitiveness.
West Ham Key Players
West Ham will rely heavily on their top scorer, Jarrod Bowen, who has netted 11 goals this season. Bowen’s finishing skills and ability to find space will be crucial against Nottingham Forest’s defence. James Ward-Prowse, their midfield dynamo, will play a vital role in dictating play and delivering set-pieces. His vision and passing range could unlock opportunities for Mohammed Kudus upfront. Defensively, Max Kilman will be key in thwarting Nottingham Forest’s Chris Wood, who leads their scoring charts with 20 goals. Kilman’s positioning and tackling will be crucial.
Expected lineup for West Ham:
- Goalkeeper: Alphonse Areola
- Defenders: Jean-Clair Todibo, Aaron Cresswell, Max Kilman
- Midfielders: Vladimir Coufal, Tomas Soucek, Guido Rodriguez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, James Ward-Prowse
- Attackers: Jarrod Bowen, Mohammed Kudus
Individual battles like Bowen vs Neco Williams and Kilman vs Chris Wood could determine the match outcome.
West Ham Suspensions & Injuries
West Ham are currently dealing with a couple of significant injuries that could impact their lineup and performance. Here are the details:
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Michail Antonio | Broken leg | Early June 2025 |
| Crysencio Summerville | Hamstring Injury | Early August 2025 |
Michail Antonio’s absence means West Ham will lack his physical presence and goal-scoring prowess up front, while Crysencio Summerville’s hamstring injury removes a vital attacking option from the wing.
The team will need to rely on other key players to step up, particularly Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus, to fill the gap left by these injuries. This might lead to a reshuffling of tactics and positions by manager Graham Potter to compensate for the missing players.
West Ham Tactics and Formation
West Ham Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: Expected to line up in a 3-4-1-2 formation.
- Key Forward: Mohammed Kudus, who will lead the attack.
West Ham will aim to solidify their midfield and defense with a back-three featuring Jean-Clair Todibo, Aaron Cresswell, and Max Kilman. Their midfield strength is bolstered by Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez in central roles, with Vladimír Coufal and Aaron Wan-Bissaka acting as wing-backs to cover wide areas.
James Ward-Prowse will assume the role of an attacking midfielder, offering creativity and linking play between the midfield and forwards. Upfront, Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus will be the primary attacking threats, with Bowen also pivotal in set-pieces given his significantly sharp form and goal-scoring ability. Expect West Ham to rely on counter-attacks and set-pieces to create scoring opportunities.
Nottingham Forest Team Analysis
Nottingham Forest Recent Performance
Nottingham Forest has shown a mixed bag of results in their last five games, posting two draws, two losses, and one win. Their form has been somewhat inconsistent, but they’ve managed to maintain a respectable position in the league. They’re currently seventh in the table with 62 points.
Here’s a closer look at their recent performances:
| Home team | Away team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | Leicester | 2025-05-11 | Premier League | 2-2 (Draw) |
| Crystal Palace | Nottingham Forest | 2025-05-05 | Premier League | 1-1 (Draw) |
| Nottingham Forest | Brentford | 2025-05-01 | Premier League | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Nottingham Forest | Manchester City | 2025-04-27 | FA Cup | 0-2 (Loss) |
| Tottenham | Nottingham Forest | 2025-04-21 | Premier League | 1-2 (Win) |
Recent Form: DDLLW
In their last five matches, Nottingham Forest has scored an average of 1.00 goals per game, highlighting some challenges in finding the back of the net consistently. Defensively, they have not kept any clean sheets, which suggests vulnerabilities that West Ham might look to exploit.
Overall, they will aim to balance defence and attack more effectively to secure a positive outcome against West Ham.
Nottingham Forest Key Players
Expected lineup for Nottingham Forest:
- Goalkeeper: Matz Sels
- Defenders: Ola Aina, Nikola Milenković, Morato, Neco Williams
- Midfielders: Ibrahim Sangaré, Nicolás Domínguez, Anthony Elanga, Morgan Gibbs-White, Elliot Anderson
- Forward: Chris Wood
Chris Wood is the standout performer for Nottingham Forest with 20 goals. His battle against West Ham’s backline, particularly Jean-Clair Todibo and Max Kilman, will be crucial.
Morgan Gibbs-White’s creativity and Anthony Elanga’s pace make them key players to watch. Ibrahim Sangaré’s role in breaking up West Ham’s attacks will be vital in the midfield battles.
These players’ efforts will be vital in challenging West Ham’s defense and securing a positive result.
Nottingham Forest Suspensions & Injuries
Nottingham Forest will have a few key absentees for the match against West Ham due to injuries. These absences could affect their overall performance, especially in key positions.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Callum Hudson-Odoi | Hamstring Injury | Late May 2025 |
| Murillo | Thigh Injury | Late May 2025 |
| Taiwo Awoniyi | Muscle Injury | Early July 2025 |
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Murillo are expected to return by late May, which means they miss out on this fixture but might be available soon. Taiwo Awoniyi, a key forward, is out until early July, reducing attacking options for the team.
Forest’s depth will be tested, and Nuno Espirito Santo may need to adjust his game plan to cope with these vital absences.
Nottingham Forest Tactics and Formation
Nottingham Forest’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Chris Wood, with 20 goals this season, will be pivotal in leading the attack.
- Attacking Trio: Elliot Anderson (left wing), Morgan Gibbs-White (attacking midfielder), Anthony Elanga (right wing). These three provide creativity and width, crucial for breaking down West Ham’s defence.
- Midfield Pair: Ibrahim Sangare and Nicolas Dominguez hold the fort in midfield, offering defensive stability and transitional play.
Nottingham Forest tend to control games through solid defensive work, even though they have not kept a clean sheet in their last five matches. Nuno Espirito Santo loves a balanced approach, with a slight tilt towards counter-attacks exploiting the wings. While their recent results show they can be susceptible at the back, their consistent formation and tactical discipline often make them formidable opponents.
West Ham vs Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head Statistics
Let’s dive into the recent meetings between these two teams:
| Home Team | Away Team | Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nottingham Forest | West Ham | 2024-11-02 | Premier League | 3-0 (Loss) |
| Nottingham Forest | West Ham | 2024-02-17 | Premier League | 2-0 (Loss) |
| West Ham | Nottingham Forest | 2023-11-12 | Premier League | 3-2 (Win) |
| West Ham | Nottingham Forest | 2023-02-25 | Premier League | 4-0 (Win) |
| Nottingham Forest | West Ham | 2022-08-14 | Premier League | 1-0 (Loss) |
West Ham and Nottingham Forest have faced each other five times in the last few years, with each game offering plenty of action. West Ham grabbed a couple of wins at home, including an impressive 4-0 victory. However, Nottingham Forest clinched three wins, including two clean sheets in their recent matchups. Given this history, it’s clear these encounters can always promise excitement and drama.
Odds accurate as of 16.05.2025 14:16, and are subject to change. Please always check the odds before placing your bets with any bookmaker.
