Nottingham Forest’s Champions League hopes are hanging by a thread, but a win against West Ham could at least keep the dream alive.
Taiwo Awoniyi’s injury has been the main concern of the week, but with the news of his recovery sounding positive, the Forest squad can use this as momentum in their trip to face West Ham.
A win is absolutely crucial, as while Forest’s Champions League chances have been lowered, three points against the Hammers would just about keep the Reds in the fight going into the final day clash with Chelsea.
Forest are unlikely to be at full strength for the trip, though, with regular starters in Nuno Espírito Santo’s side still recovering from injuries.
Nottingham Forest team news vs West Ham
With the severity of Awoniyi’s injury, Espírito Santo focused mainly on the Nigerian’s health in his pre-match press conference.
He said: “He [Awoniyi] had surgery, the surgery went well, thank God, so he’s on observation now. I think he is recovering, but we still have to wait for the doctors to allow visits. His family are there, we are concerned, but we are positive.”
Other than Awoniyi, though, little information has been revealed about the status of either Murillo or Callum Hudson-Odoi, who have had their own injury problems.
Hudson-Odoi was ruled out of the Leicester game due to his hamstring issues, while Murillo was fighting to be fit but was absent from Sunday’s squad.
Given the options available to Espírito Santo, Nottingham Forest News is predicting an unchanged starting lineup to face West Ham at the London Stadium.
Nottingham Forest predicted XI to face West Ham
GK: Matz Sels – It’s been seven matches since Forest kept a clean sheet, something Sels will be hoping to change to keep his Golden Glove lead intact.
RB: Ola Aina – Aina was a part of a defence that struggled against Leicester and his task will be unique against West Ham as the Hammers haven’t been operating with natural wingers.
CB: Nikola Milenkovic – The Serbian defender will need to keep a keen eye on Jarrod Bowen, who has been playing more centrally under Graham Potter.
CB: Morato – Morato will fill in for Murillo once more and hopefully perform better on Sunday after being turned by Facundo Buonanotte for Leicester’s second goal.
LB: Neco Williams – Similar to Aina, Williams will have to be wary of his positioning to cope with West Ham’s fluid attack.
CM: Elliot Anderson – Anderson was surprisingly left out of the Young Player of the Season shortlist in the week so will have a point to prove.
CM: Ibrahim Sangare – The Ivorian was once again on form against Leicester, cementing his place in the starting lineup in the final run-in.
RW: Anthony Elanga – Unlike Anderson, Elanga was nominated for Young Player of the Year and can hopefully show why with a goal on Sunday.
CAM: Morgan Gibbs-White – The first of Forest’s Player of the Year candidates, Gibbs-White scored an excellent header in the previous match against Leicester.
LW: Nicolas Dominguez – Left wing was probably the hardest position to pick, but Dominguez will likely keep his hybrid role as the likes of Jota Silva haven’t impressed enough to earn a start.
ST: Chris Wood – The other Player of the Year candidate, Wood took his goal well against Leicester and will be aiming to notch again in London.
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