Preview: West Ham United Hosts Nottingham Forest in Premier League Clash

LONDON (Interstat) — West Ham United will look to rebound from a heavy defeat when it hosts a struggling Nottingham Forest side in the Premier League on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026, at London Stadium.

The Hammers (8-7-5) are reeling from a 3-0 away loss to Wolverhampton on Saturday, a result that snapped a modest three-match unbeaten run in league play. Their form at home has been mixed, with just one win in their last five fixtures in all competitions at the London Stadium.

Nottingham Forest (6-4-10) arrives in the capital in worse form, having lost three consecutive matches. Most recently, Forest fell 3-1 at Aston Villa on Saturday, following losses to Everton and Manchester City. Their away record is particularly concerning, with four straight defeats on the road and only one win in their last seven matches away from the City Ground.

The head-to-head history, however, heavily favors the hosts. In their last meeting on Aug. 31, 2025, West Ham delivered a commanding 3-0 victory at Nottingham Forest.

Statistical models present a conflicting outlook for the match. Interstat’s game simulator projects a 1-1 draw. Conversely, the same service’s ELO rating system gives West Ham a 68.10 percent probability of securing a victory.

Key for West Ham will be rediscovering defensive solidity after conceding three goals in each of their last two matches. For Nottingham Forest, halting a slide that has seen them concede eight goals in their last three games is the immediate priority. Forest’s season has been defined by volatility, featuring a stunning 3-0 win at Liverpool in November but also several heavy losses.

A win for West Ham could propel them back into contention for European qualification spots. For Nottingham Forest, currently hovering near the relegation zone, a positive result is critical to stem the tide before a daunting upcoming schedule that includes matches against Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City.

Following this match, West Ham will visit Tottenham Hotspur on Jan. 17. Nottingham Forest’s next fixture is at home against Arsenal on the same date.