Nottingham Forest, coming into the weekend’s match against West Ham United in strong form, has now drawn a prediction from Paul Merson.
Nuno Espirito Santo isn’t concerned about who Nottingham Forest faces, as his tactical sharpness has helped grind out key results this season. Despite missing several games, Nuno’s work earned him a nomination for Manager of the Month, following wins against Crystal Palace and Leicester and a draw with Chelsea.
Forest’s standout players, Chris Wood and Matz Sels, are also up for the Player of the Month award, recognizing their contributions so far.
However, Forest faces a tough test next, hosting West Ham United, fresh off their role in Erik ten Hag’s dismissal at Manchester United.
Paul Merson’s Prediction: Forest vs. West Ham
In his Sportskeeda column, Paul Merson predicts a 2-1 victory for Nottingham Forest. Merson previously called for a draw in Forest’s clash with Leicester, which ended in a decisive Forest win. This time, Merson believes Forest’s strong form will give them the edge over West Ham, even if the Hammers showed sparks in their last win.
“Forest are flying at the moment,” Merson said, though he noted they’ve generally performed better away. “West Ham aren’t fully firing, so I’m backing Forest to win.”
Key Roles of Chris Wood and Taiwo Awoniyi
Chris Wood has been vital for Forest this season, notching seven goals in nine matches as the focal point of the attack. Meanwhile, Taiwo Awoniyi has struggled to find form, hindered by recurring injuries.
Former player Lewis McGugan points out that Wood’s performances take the pressure off Awoniyi, allowing him the time to fully recover. As the January transfer window approaches, Nuno Espirito Santo may consider adding another striker, with Santiago Gimenez previously linked to the club.
Leave a Reply