Forest to Beat West Ham

Forest Win – 8/11 – 2 points

It has been a difficult start to life at West Ham for Graham Potter, who has managed just five wins from his opening 22 games in charge. This season began in disastrous fashion, first with a 3-0 defeat away at newly promoted Sunderland, followed by a bruising 5-1 loss at home to London rivals Chelsea. Matters worsened in the Carabao Cup, where the Hammers fielded a full-strength side and led 2-1, only to suffer a late collapse and elimination. Unsurprisingly, frustration is growing among supporters, and the pressure on Potter is intensifying ahead of a daunting trip to Nottingham Forest.

Forest, meanwhile, enter the match in far better spirits. Despite spending the summer embroiled in European controversy, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side were ultimately cleared to compete in the Europa League—a huge boost that has been reflected in their transfer activity. Significant investment has strengthened the squad, raising expectations of another top-half finish. The Reds began the campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over Brentford before grinding out a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Crystal Palace.

Given West Ham’s alarming form and threadbare squad depth, and with Forest looking sharper and more settled, the hosts will be confident of deepening the Hammers’ early-season misery.

El Hadji Diouf - Over 0.5 Shots

El Hadji Diouf – over 0.5 shots – 5/6 – 1 point

Although West Ham endured a quiet transfer window, the arrival of El Hadji Malik Diouf from Sparta Prague already looks a shrewd piece of business. The 20-year-old Senegalese left-back impressed immediately on his debut at Sunderland, despite the 3-0 defeat, registering three shots in a lively, attack-minded display. Against Chelsea he was quieter in front of goal, but still contributed with an assist for Lucas Paquetá’s strike, once again highlighting his attacking threat from deep.

Diouf’s pedigree was evident in last season’s Europa League campaign with Sparta Prague, where he started six matches, amassing 598 minutes and averaging 2.11 shots per 90 — outstanding numbers for a full-back. Now under Graham Potter, whose preference for a back five gives his wing-backs licence to push forward, Diouf should have plenty of opportunities to impact the game in advanced areas.

With West Ham likely to spend long spells chasing the match, Diouf looks excellent value to get himself on the shot list once again.

Lucas Paqueta Over 0.5 Shots on Target

Lucas Paqueta Shot On Target – 19/10 – 1 point

Lucas Paquetá remains the focal point of West Ham’s attack, even after a disappointing campaign last season. The Brazilian endured a turbulent spell off the pitch amid betting allegations, but with those now cleared, he looks ready to rediscover his best form. Although he failed to hit the target in the 3-0 defeat at Sunderland, he responded with goals in back-to-back fixtures — against Chelsea in the league and Wolves in the Carabao Cup — offering a reminder of his quality in the final third.

At 28, Paquetá should thrive in his natural No. 10 role, linking play behind new signing Niclas Füllkrug. The German striker’s physical presence gives West Ham a focal point up front, while Paquetá’s creativity and eye for goal make him the key to unlocking opposition defences.

Nayef Aguerd to be Carded

Nayef Aguerd To Be Carded – 18/5 – 1 point

Nayef Aguerd endured a difficult start to life at West Ham, struggling for consistency in his first two seasons before reviving his form on loan at Real Sociedad last year. That spell in Spain proved valuable, with the Moroccan starting 21 league matches and averaging 0.26 yellow cards per 90 minutes. Back at West Ham, he has been reinstated as a first-choice defender, starting all three games of the new campaign.

So far this season, Aguerd has yet to commit a foul in the Premier League, but Saturday’s matchup could test his discipline. Lining up as the left-sided centre-back in Graham Potter’s back five, Aguerd will be tasked with covering for the adventurous El Hadji Malik Diouf, who pushes high on the overlap. That puts him directly up against Forest’s new signing Dan Ndoye.

The Swiss winger has made a flying start since arriving from Bologna, scoring against Brentford and providing an assist against Crystal Palace. Tricky, direct and relentless, Ndoye averaged 4.23 fouls drawn per 90 in Serie A last season, constantly forcing defenders into uncomfortable positions. With Aguerd likely to be dragged wide in transition and exposed one-on-one, the Moroccan looks a strong candidate to find his way into the referee’s book.