Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United
English Premier League, KO: 14:00 Aug 14, 2022, The City Ground
TWO teams who suffered opening weekend defeats in the Premier League square off on Sunday afternoon, as Nottingham Forest welcome West Ham United to the City Ground.
The Tricky Trees defied expectations under Steve Cooper to win last season's Championship playoff final, ending a two-decade exile from the top-flight in the process.
Survival will be the primary goal for a Forest side that has made as many as 11 first-team additions to their squad, including former West Ham man Jesse Lingard.
After falling to a 2-0 loss at Newcastle in their first Premier League fixture since 1999, Nottingham Forest will be looking to get off the mark this weekend against the Hammers.
David Moyes' men finished seventh in the Premier League last season, in addition to reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League during what was another really strong campaign.
The capital club could hardly have asked for a tougher opening test last weekend as they fell to a 2-0 home defeat by an Erling Haaland-inspired Man City, on an afternoon where my main London Stadium selection landed.
Outright Betting
Nottingham Forest avoided defeat in each of their final 10 home league matches of the regular 2021/22 Championship season but the bookies' odds suggest that sequence will be snapped on Sunday, with a home success priced up at 16/5 (PaddyPower) while a share of the spoils can be backed at a best 11/4 (Betfred).
Despite losing five of their last six Premier League away matches, West Ham arrive at the City Ground as odds-on 10/11 favourites with William Hill.
Betting Angles
West Ham are worthy favourites here but they are unlikely to have things all their own way and I'm therefore going to dip into the Bet Builder feature and throw together over zero Nottingham Forest goals and over two Nottingham Forest corners at 4/5 (Bet 365).
As already alluded to, Forest had a very strong home record last season and they will be looking to make the City Ground a really difficult place to come to and get anything from with a view to securing a top-flight survival.
Considering Steve Cooper's side have scored at least one goal in each of their 11 home league matches in 2022 coupled with their major attacking upgrades, I'm more than happy to back the Tricky Trees to score at least once on Sunday.
While West Ham are a well-oiled Premier League machine, they found clean sheets hard to come by last season, leaking at least one goal in 30 of their 38 top-flight outings.
As such, I fancy Forest to notch at least once here, but to conclude the 4/5 (Bet 365) Bet Builder, I'll also back the hosts to hit three or more corners.
The Tricky Trees, who will be roared on by a passionate home crowd, were averaging over six corners per home game in the second tier last season, covering the 3+ line in each of their last 17 City Ground assignments.
With neither defence watertight and each side capable in attack, backing both teams to score also looks worthy of some interest at 5/6 with SBK.
Overall, both teams obliged in 24/38 (63%) West Ham's Premier League last term, yet the odds imply a 54.5% chance of the same wager delivering profit in the Midlands this weekend.
This English Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and West Ham United will be played on Aug 14, 2022 and kick off at 14:00. Check below for our tipsters best Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
