Nottingham Forest travel to West Ham for the penultimate game of the 2024/25 season, having already secured European football for the first time in 30 years. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side currently sit in seventh but could still secure a place in next season’s Champions League if they win their two final matches. Here is our Nottingham Forest predicted lineup.
Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup vs West Ham for Final Away Game of the Season
How Forest Have Lined Up Recently
The Tricky Trees endured a disappointing draw against local rivals Leicester City last time out, with the Foxes scoring a late equaliser to make it 2-2. The game was marred by a horrific injury to Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi, who was placed in an induced coma after suffering a serious abdominal injury. The 27-year-old is now out of the coma and recovering well.
Belgian stopper Matz Sels continues to be a standout performer for the Midlands side and is closing in on the Premier League Golden Glove, with Arsenal’s David Raya still one behind. An injury to the impressive Murillo forced Nuno to dispense with his tried and tested centre-back pair against Leicester, with 23-year-old Morato lining up next to the ever-present Nikola Milenkovic.
Full-backs Neco Williams and Ola Aina have both had excellent seasons, missing just three games apiece as Forest have secured a hugely impressive return to European football.Ibrahim Sangare has started the last two games in midfield in place of skipper Ryan Yates, with the Ivorian looking to establish himself in Nuno’s side after suffering an injury-hit campaign.
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Next to him, 22-year-old Elliot Anderson continues to win plaudits for his excellent midfield work, winning the most duels of any player in the Premier League (233). Named Forest’s player of the month for April, the young midfielder has a bright future and will be hopeful of an England cap in the near future.
With Callum Hudson-Odoi out, Nicolas Dominguez has filled in on the left flank, highlighting the Argentinian’s impressive versatility. On the opposite flank, Anthony Elanga has showcased his outstanding quality this season, managing six goals and recording ten assists. The 23-year-old has honed his skills in the final third, and this impressive form has earned him a nomination for Young Player of the Season.
Attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White is the first of two Forest players to be nominated for Premier League Player of the Season, with the England international going from strength to strength under Nuno and drawing significant interest from elsewhere. The second Forest nominee is centre-forward Chris Wood, who has hit a career-best 20 league goals this campaign. The New Zealander has now been involved in 100 Premier League goals (89 goals, 11 assists) and is Forest’s leading goalscorer in Premier League history.
Nottingham Forest Recent Form and Tactics
The Tricky Trees have won just once in their last six league games, with this disappointing spell of form causing them to drop from third to seventh in a matter of weeks. The momentum from the club’s blistering early-season form seems to have run out, making a Champions League place unlikely, but finishing in a European place after narrowly avoiding relegation last season remains an incredible feat.
A win would see Nuno’s side go level on points with sixth-placed Man City, should they lose against Bournemouth, and would leave Forest just a point behind Chelsea, who they face on the final day of the season. Forest can therefore leapfrog the Blues into a possible top-five place with a victory at the City Ground on 25 May, but will need to overcome the Hammers first.
Nottingham Forest Injuries to Consider
As previously mentioned, Nigerian striker Awoniyi is likely to face a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious injury against Leicester City. Nuno said that the club were “concerned but positive” about the 27-year-old, who is currently recovering in hospital after a successful surgery.
According to Premier Injuries, Forest are set to be without star winger Hudson-Odoi for their trip to East London. The 24-year-old hasn’t featured since being forced off against Brentford on May 1.
Defensive stalwart Murillo will face a late fitness test prior to the game, with the Tricky Trees desperate to have the outstanding centre-half back in the fold for their last two matches.
Nottingham Forest Predicted Lineup vs West Ham
GK: Matz Sels
RB: Ola Aina
CB: Morato
CB: Nikola Milenkovic
LB: Neco Williams
DM: Elliot Anderson
DM: Ibrahim Sangaré
AM: Morgan Gibbs-White
RW: Nicolas Dominguez
LW: Anthony Elanga
ST: Chris Wood