West Ham return to the London Stadium knowing their home form can still be a real asset. Even without Lucas Paquetá, there’s enough quality going forward to cause problems, particularly through Jarrod Bowen, who remains the Hammers’ main attacking threat.
Nottingham Forest arrive in London with their squad stretched thin. The loss of Chris Wood is a major blow, stripping them of a reliable goal outlet, and much of the creative responsibility now rests on Morgan Gibbs-White to make something happen in the final third.
The context adds an extra edge to this one. West Ham are looking to steady themselves and pull clear, while Forest are trying to stay competitive despite their mounting absentees. With neither defence looking watertight, it may simply come down to which side takes their chances when they come.
Our AI Predictions for the Match Between West Ham and Nottingham Forest
To provide you with the most reliable betting insights, we have collated predictions from three leading AI models: ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Each model offers a distinct prediction for the match, clearly displayed as a bullet point with its official logo for easy identification. For those who wish to delve deeper, you can click on each prediction to expand and read the detailed reasoning, revealing how the AI analysed data, form, and key match statistics to reach its conclusion.
Both teams to score looks a solid option at the prices. West Ham tend to carry a threat at home, while Forest have enough creativity in midfield to find chances of their own. With defensive issues on both sides — compounded by injuries and players away on international duty — this has the feel of a game where neither team keeps a clean sheet.
claude
Prediction of AI claude modelWest Ham United to Win
The main angle here leans towards the home side. West Ham simply have more depth to work with, especially against a Forest team missing their leading scorer in Chris Wood. The London Stadium has generally been a positive environment for the Hammers, while Forest’s defensive record away from home leaves plenty to be desired, which makes a West Ham win the standout pick. There is, however, enough attacking quality on both sides to expect goals at each end. Neither defence inspires much confidence, so both teams to score appeals as a strong supporting option.
The Over/Under market stands out here. West Ham have enough attacking quality to play on the front foot, while Forest’s creative players can still pose a threat despite their injury issues. Those absentees could force Forest into a more open approach, and with neither defence looking particularly solid, goals look likely.
Why we chose the prediction we did from the options that were available to us?
With attacking quality on both sides and defensive issues still evident, both teams to score stands out as the strongest angle. West Ham arrive off mixed recent results but continue to pose a consistent threat at the London Stadium, regularly creating chances even when performances have dipped. Nottingham Forest have also had an up-and-down run, yet they’ve shown they can find the net through their creative midfield despite ongoing injury problems. With West Ham’s attacking approach at home and Forest’s defensive absences likely leading to space at both ends, this Premier League fixture has the makings of a game where neither side keeps a clean sheet.
Value Bets from Our Algorithm
Our value bet selections are the product of an advanced algorithm that analyses a vast array of football data. This system goes beyond simple win-loss probabilities, weighing factors like recent form, head-to-head records, expected goals (xG), and performance under specific conditions. It also considers crucial external factors such as key player absences due to injury or international duty and how those impact team dynamics, aiming to identify bets with the highest potential value.
The combination of West Ham’s attacking firepower at home and both teams’ tendency to concede regularly points strongly towards a high-scoring encounter.
Given their strong record at the London Stadium, it is highly unlikely West Ham will lose against an injury-depleted Nottingham Forest side.
Player Focus Bets
Based on recent form and historical data, our top picks for the Anytime Goalscorer market in this match between West Ham and Nottingham Forest:
Jarrod Bowen remains West Ham’s most dependable attacking threat, underlined by his return of six goals from 20 league appearances this season. Averaging 2.4 shots per game and playing regularly for the full 90 minutes, his pace, direct running and willingness to take responsibility in the final third make him the standout candidate to score for the home side.(West Ham)
Morgan Gibbs-White continues to act as Nottingham Forest’s creative hub, especially with Chris Wood sidelined. He has chipped in with four league goals from 19 appearances, averages just over two shots per game, and boasts an impressive 81.6% pass success rate, underlining his influence in the final third. With Forest lacking a recognised focal point up front, Gibbs-White looks their most likely route to a goal, whether from open play or a dead-ball situation. (Nottingham Forest)
Odds Boosts, Free Bets & Specials for West Ham vs Nottingham Forest
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03 Jan 2026 –
Premier LeagueAston Villa3 : 1Nottingham Forest
30 Dec 2025 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest0 : 2Everton
27 Dec 2025 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest1 : 2Manchester City
22 Dec 2025 –
Premier LeagueFulham1 : 0Nottingham Forest
14 Dec 2025 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest3 : 0Tottenham Hotspur
11 Dec 2025 –
Europa LeagueFC Utrecht1 : 2Nottingham Forest
WINS3
DRAW0
LOSSES3
Average Stats (Last 7 Matches)
17 Total goals
29% BTTS
10 Goals scored
7 Goals conceded
57% Over 2.5
29% Under 2.5
30 Dec 2025 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest0 : 2Everton
27 Dec 2025 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest1 : 2Manchester City
14 Dec 2025 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest3 : 0Tottenham Hotspur
30 Nov 2025 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest0 : 2Brighton & Hove Albion
27 Nov 2025 –
Europa LeagueNottingham Forest3 : 0Malmoe FF
09 Nov 2025 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest3 : 1Leeds United
WINS3
DRAW0
LOSSES3
Average Stats (Last 7 Matches)
15 Total goals
29% BTTS
7 Goals scored
8 Goals conceded
57% Over 2.5
29% Under 2.5
03 Jan 2026 –
Premier LeagueAston Villa3 : 1Nottingham Forest
22 Dec 2025 –
Premier LeagueFulham1 : 0Nottingham Forest
11 Dec 2025 –
Europa LeagueFC Utrecht1 : 2Nottingham Forest
06 Dec 2025 –
Premier LeagueEverton3 : 0Nottingham Forest
03 Dec 2025 –
Premier LeagueWolverhampton Wanderers0 : 1Nottingham Forest
22 Nov 2025 –
Premier LeagueLiverpool0 : 3Nottingham Forest
Starting XI
4-5-1
Possible Lineup
13John Victor
34O. Aina
31N. Milenković
5 Murillo
3N. Williams
21O. Hutchinson
10M. Gibbs-White
8E. Anderson
16N. Domínguez
29D. Bakwa
19Igor Jesus
Substitutes
26M. Sels
44Z. Abbott
4Morato
37N. Savona
12Douglas Luiz
24J. McAtee
35O. Zinchenko
9T. Awoniyi
15A. Kalimuendo
Suspension
None reported
Injured
1Chris Wood Knee injury
2Ryan Yates Thigh injury
3John Victor Calf injury
4Dan Ndoye Calf injury
5Willy Boly International Duty
6Ibrahim Sangare International Duty
Note: Official lineups are typically confirmed 60 minutes before kick-off. These predictions are based on the latest team news and recent selections.
West Ham vs Nottingham Forest Head-to-Head Record
31 Aug 2025 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest0 : 3West Ham United
18 May 2025 –
Premier LeagueWest Ham United1 : 2Nottingham Forest
02 Nov 2024 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest3 : 0West Ham United
17 Feb 2024 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest2 : 0West Ham United
12 Nov 2023 –
Premier LeagueWest Ham United3 : 2Nottingham Forest
25 Feb 2023 –
Premier LeagueWest Ham United4 : 0Nottingham Forest
14 Aug 2022 –
Premier LeagueNottingham Forest1 : 0West Ham United
League Games at West Ham
West Ham
Nottingham Forest
Goals: Scored84
Games: Scored3/32/3
Clean Sheets1/30/3
League Games at Nottingham Forest
West Ham
Nottingham Forest
Goals: Scored36
Games: Scored4/43/4
Clean Sheets1/43/4
Current Best Betting Odds for West Ham vs Nottingham Forest
When it comes to betting on this Premier League fixture, getting the best odds can make all the difference to your returns. Below, we’ve compared the top prices available from trusted betting sites for the upcoming clash between West Ham and Nottingham Forest.
West Ham vs Nottingham Forest Bet Builder Suggestions
If you really want to see a return from our football betting predictions, Bet Builders are a great way to combine different markets into one high-odds selection. These are risky, but when they land, the payout can be massive.
For those looking beyond the obvious outcomes in their we’ve highlighted a few long shot bets for the West Ham vs Nottingham Forest clash. These are higher-risk selections that carry a lower probability of success, but offer the potential for significantly greater odds.
West Ham to Win + Over 2.5 Goals + Both Teams to Score (Combined odds: 15/2)
Nottingham Forest to Score First + West Ham to Win + Over 3.5 Goals (Combined odds: 11/1)
Draw at Half-Time + West Ham to Win + BTTS (Combined odds: 14/1)
Quick Betting Angles
These Quick Betting Angles cut through the noise and turn stats into actionable insights for West Ham vs Nottingham Forest on 6 January 2026 at 8:00 PM.
Betting Angle (Both Teams to Score): Both teams to score looks well supported by the underlying data and recent performances. West Ham continue to carry a threat at home through Jarrod Bowen, even with injuries affecting their midfield balance. Forest, meanwhile, remain capable of creating chances through Morgan Gibbs-White, who has taken on greater attacking responsibility in the absence of Chris Wood. With both defences weakened and clean sheets proving hard to come by, goals at both ends look likely.
Betting Angle (Total Goals): The game sets up for an open contest, with attacking intent outweighing defensive stability on both sides. West Ham’s willingness to commit numbers forward at the London Stadium often leads to stretched games, while Forest’s injury-hit back line has struggled to contain pressure away from home. A match total in the three-to-four goal range fits the recent patterns for both teams.
Betting Angle (Home Advantage): West Ham’s home advantage remains a key factor. The London Stadium has been where their attacking players look most comfortable, regularly generating chances regardless of opposition. Forest’s poor away defensive record and current squad absences make it difficult to see them fully controlling proceedings, giving the Hammers a clear edge on home soil.
Match Information:
Competition: Premier League
Stage: Premier League
Kick-off: 6 January 2026 at 8:00 PM
Sport: Soccer
Where to Watch West Ham vs Nottingham Forest
TV channel:
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Ultra HDR.
Online streaming:
Streaming is available on the Sky App and Now TV.
Free highlights:
Highlights will be available on the Sky Sports website, the Sky App, the official Premier League YouTube channel and later in the week on Match of the Day (BBC).
