Nottingham Forest take on West Ham United today knowing that a big win could actually see the Reds end the day at the top of the Premier League.
It would take a 5-0 win and other results to go their way for that to be the case and ultimately, three points are far bigger than anything else.
Forest will push for more signings after this weekend’s game, with a hectic transfer deadline day seemingly going to be on the cards for the Reds.
Nicolo Savona signed for Forest yesterday and he hasn’t checked in with enough time to spare to feature today, but it does see the team strengthen at right-back.
Ahead of today’s game, we’ve looked at how Nuno Espirito Santo might line his team up against the West Ham team, who have been battered in both their games so far.
Nuno Espirito Santo watching his Nottingham Forest team compete
Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images
Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs West Ham
The Forest rearguard
The beauty of Forest defensively is that the five players selected largely select themselves these days.
In Ola Aina on the right and Neco Williams on the left, Forest have two extremely capable full-backs and both will start today.
Centrally, Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic have a very useful partnership and once again, they will be looking to stay solid against the Hammers.
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The Forest engine room
If it isn’t broken, then it doesn’t need fixing and at Crystal Palace last week, Ibrahim Sangare and Elliot Anderson were both in fine form.
Sangare has been linked with West Ham this week, but despite Douglas Luiz waiting in the wings, we think Espirito Santo will give this midfield pairing at least one more outing.
Leading the Forest line
Chris Wood scored 20 goals last season and right now, he’s the man who will play as the lone striker.
Behind him, Morgan Gibbs-White will be looking to replicate his performance from the opening weekend of the season against Brentford.
On the flanks, there might be a little swap, with Dan Ndoye starting from the left and Callum Hudson-Odoi playing from the right.
That particular swap helped Forest last weekend at Palace and it might have the same impact today against West Ham.
Nottingham Forest predicted line-up for West Ham match:
Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs West Ham created by GRV Media
Nottingham Forest predicted XI vs West Ham created by GRV Media
Also in contention for Forest
Angus Gunn will once again provide the goalkeeping competition from the bench.
Defensively, it’s likely to be Morato and possibly Willy Boly who sit on the bench this afternoon.
Luiz will take his place among the substitutes, with Ryan Yates also offering support for the midfield positions.
Going forward, James McAtee, Arnaud Kalimenudo and Omari Hutchinson all got their first minutes last weekend and they will be hoping to get more game time today.