
West Ham welcome Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League and while the hosts have little left to play for, Nuno Santo's side are still fighting for a Champions League spot next season. Forest will need to rely on other results going there way, but the incentive is very much there to go and take it to the final day.
West Ham's season can't end soon enough. Although they beat Manchester United at Old Trafford last week - ending an eight match winless streak - there has been little - if anything - to shout about in 2025.
If it wasn't for incredibly poor seasons from those that will re-join the Championship next campaign, West Ham would have been firmly in the relegation scrap. Having conceded 59 goals, only four other teams conceded more.
At home they've drawn their last three matches against Bournemouth, Southampton and Spurs, and while Graham Potter will be judged on what happens next campaign, West Ham fans will still want to see their team sign off with a win on Sunday.
It has been an excellent campaign for Forest. From relegation favourites to securing European football for the first time in 30 years, it's hard to knock their recent form considering what the club has achieved. Many involved directly, however, may feel different having sat in the Champions League spots for the vast majority of the campaign.
However, picking up five points from their last five matches hasn't been good enough to get them over the line. Their ultra-thin squad has effectively cost them - and while a win in the capital gives them hope, their recent performances haven't been at the right level to justify an away win.
Forest have lost both of their matches at the London Stadium since their promotion back to the Premier League. The first was a 4-0 hammering - pardon the pun - while they almost escaped with a point last campaign only for Tomas Soucek to take that away from them in the 88th minute.
If we go back a little further, Forest have lost their last five away matches against West Ham. In fact, you have to go back to 1997 the last time they beat West Ham in their own back yard. Despite comfortably beating the Hammers 3-0 at the City Ground, this isn't the same team heading south - and their poor record might just continue.
With West Ham desperate for their season to draw to a close, and with Forest struggling to rally when it matters, that doesn't mean that my column won't be looking to finish on a high.
As mentioned, West Ham head into this fixture having drawn their last three home matches. The home fans have only seen two wins in 2025 - one coming against relegated Leicester and the other was a 3-2 win against Fulham - which was Potter's first game in charge.
Forest's away form has been rather strong all season. With the 3rd best in the league, their invite plenty of pressure and counter style of play has worked wonders for them - and they'll be hoping that stops their run of bad form against West Ham away.
But with just one win from their last five (away to Spurs) Forest are struggling to get over the line. They've secured European football for next season - but it's unlikely that will be Champions League.
Consecutive draws against Crystal Palace and Leicester have shown they are struggling to put games to bed or win games when moments fall their way.
How Forest would love to take their chances of finishing in the top five to the last day of the season, but their incredible run looks to come to an end in the capital against West Ham.
Back the draw at 23/10 with bet365. Good luck if you're following.
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