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Matchweek 2 preview: Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United

By Oliver Placencia

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United gives instructions to Michail Antonio during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City at London Stadium on August 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: David Moyes, Manager of West Ham United gives instructions to Michail Antonio during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester City at London Stadium on August 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /
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A forgetful opening game for West Ham as they fell 2-0 to Manchester City with new superstar signing Erling Haaland scoring both goals.

Due to being the bookies’ choice of being recrowned Premier League champions, City were clear favourites for this game. It wasn’t a terrible result, but it showed how much help West Ham still need despite bringing in new faces to the club.

Words from the Boss

After Sunday’s defeat, the Hammers were in desperate need for a centre back to even possibly start vs Nottingham Forest. They are short players in the back line due to injuries of Angelo Ogbonna, Craig Dawson, and newly acquired Nayef Aguerd. David Moyes was able to provide an update on Dawson and Ogbonna, speaking to whufc.com:

"“Craig Dawson is doing quite well, so we’ll see how he is. Angelo Ogbonna is coming back, he’s coming on from his cruciate, so hopefully we’ll have most of our players fit.”"

Should also look to seeing Alphonse Arèola under the sticks this weekend as Moyes didn’t sound so confident with the status of Łukasz Fabiański:

"“Łukasz got a knock last week and we don’t know how he’s going to be yet”."

Fans have overwhelmingly voiced their preference for Arèola to replace Fabiański as number one, but last week’s penalty incident did not stand the Frenchman in good stead.

Lukasz Fabianski receives medical attention before having to leave the game injured  (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Lukasz Fabianski receives medical attention before having to leave the game injured  (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

Predicted Line-Ups

New signees Gianluca Scamacca and Maxwel Cornet, may possibly get their first starts for the club this weekend. Scamacca made his debut last week vs City and looked very promising in the 33 minutes he played; winning four out of his three aerial duels, nine touches on the ball, and 100% passing accuracy. Cornet was only introduced to the home crowd as he wasn’t registered on time.

Gianluca Scamacca during the match between West Ham United and Manchester City (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Gianluca Scamacca during the match between West Ham United and Manchester City (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

Probable West Ham Lineup (4-2-3-1): Areola; Coufal, Johnson, Zouma, Cresswell; Rice, Soucek; Bowen, Lanzini, Cornet; Scamacca.

It’s going to be tough benching Pablo Fornals because of just how likable he is for the Hammers fan base. Even after a very poor performance by Jarrod Bowen, he will remain in the lineup. Scamacca replaces Michail Antonio due to his knock from the City game. Everything else stays the same, with Arèola in goal.

Nottingham Forest vs West Ham United Score Prediction 

Nottingham Forest 0-1 West Ham

My score prediction will be that West Ham comes out on top with a 1-0 win. It is going to be a tough atmosphere for the Hammers as Premier League football comes back to the City Ground for the first time since 1993.

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