West Ham: Expected XI v Nottingham Forest

West Ham United have been in dire straits of late, but today they have the perfect opportunity to relive their miserable season when they take on Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

With the two teams fighting in very contrasting ways, a win for David Moyes could help drag his side closer to safety and potentially send Steve Cooper’s team back into the relegation dogfight. However, the hosts are winless in over a month of league action, while the Tricky Trees have lost just twice in the league since domestic football resumed two months ago.

However, considering the talent at Moyes’ disposal, who delivered a Europa League semi-final appearance last year, they may be able to put together impressive form. A win today could see them move out of the relegation zone and move within two points of Forest, while defeat would see them drop closer to drop.

With injuries and poor form to contend with, how could West Ham line up for today’s clash?

How will West Ham line up against Nottingham Forest?

Moyes is expected to make just two changes from the team that struggled to defeat Tottenham Hotspur last Sunday.

The formation will remain largely the same, as Łukasz Fabiański will sit behind an unchanged three-pointer from Angelo Ogbonna, Thilo Kehrer and Nayef Aguerd. The central defensive trio will likely be flanked by Vladimir Coufal and Emerson.


1. West Ham started 2022 with an away win against Crystal Palace. Which player scored a brace?




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What is sure to please West Ham fans is the potential return of Lucas Paquetá, whose reinstatement would not only mark the return of a quality asset who has been the Irons’ second-best player according to WhoScored, but would also provide the opportunity to get rid of Tomas Soucek. from midfield after some recent poor performances.

The Brazilian missed the loss to Spurs after picking up a shoulder injury in their draw against Chelsea two weeks ago, but ExWHUEmployee offered some positive news earlier this week that he “could make it” into this game. Seeing Paquetá return alongside Declan Rice in this all-important clash would be perfect timing.

That only leaves one change among the front three from last weekend, as Flynn Downes retires in favor of Said Benrahma. The 24-year-old, who was about to form a “strongThe association with the club captain, according to journalist Euan Rourke, has struggled to consolidate his place in the team of late.

Also, according to WhoScored, no West Ham player who has started more than once in the league this season is rated lower, so the £12m man could be scrapped today in favor of the Algerian.

While Benrahma has also disappointed in recent weeks, the £55k per week gem could show signs of being the “magician” which West Ham ambassador Bobby Seagull dubbed him. His influence in the final third is highlighted by his ranking among the top three Irons players in dribbling, shooting and key passes per game.

That leaves Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio to fill the other two attacking spots, and their exploits will surely be an integral part of any potentially positive result today.

West Ham Predicted XI (3-4-3) – Fabianski; Kehrer, Ogbonna, Aguerd; Coufal, Rice, Paqueta, Emerson; Benrahma, Bowen, Antonio.

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