West Ham vs Nottingham prediction, H2H and probable lineups - 6 January 2026
One of the fixtures of Premier League Matchday 21 will take place on Tuesday at London Stadium, where West Ham will host Nottingham. I’m offering a bet on the outcome of this clash that comes with strong chances of success.
Match preview
West Ham are in dire straits. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side—who, by the way, previously managed Nottingham—are winless in nine consecutive matches. The Hammers’ last victory dates back to early November, when they edged Burnley 3-2. In their most recent outing, West Ham suffered a painful and hugely disappointing defeat to Wolves—a team many had already written off as relegation favorites, given that the “Wolves” hadn’t won a single game and only drew three times prior to facing the Londoners.
This string of setbacks has dragged West Ham into the relegation zone. They are four points adrift of safety, with Nottingham currently occupying the crucial 17th spot. A win in this upcoming fixture could intensify the relegation battle, cutting the gap to just a single point. However, a defeat would see Nottingham pull further clear, leaving West Ham’s hopes of Premier League survival hanging by a thread.
This match holds special significance for Nuno Espírito Santo. Not only does he face the club that sacked him at the start of the season, but his own position at West Ham remains extremely precarious. Rumors are swirling in the media about a potential managerial change, and the pressure on the Portuguese coach is mounting. One of the main contenders to replace him is Croatian manager Slaven Bilić, who previously coached West Ham.
Nottingham, for their part, have also been disappointing. After Sean Dyche’s appointment, the team enjoyed a brief resurgence that lifted them out of the relegation zone. However, the situation has deteriorated again: a run of four straight defeats has brought the club back to the danger zone, and Nottingham now sit 17th.
Sean Dyche is somewhat more secure than his counterpart, but the Nottingham board—led by Evangelos Marinakis—has been known for its sudden decisions. That makes this match equally crucial for Dyche: his side desperately needs to return to winning ways.
Match facts and head-to-head
- West Ham are winless in nine consecutive matches.
- West Ham have conceded in seventeen straight games.
- At least three goals have been scored in five of Nottingham’s last seven matches.
- Nottingham conceded first in four of their last five matches.
- The last ten head-to-head meetings between these teams are perfectly balanced: five wins each.
- The most recent encounter between these sides ended with a 3-0 win for West Ham.
Probable lineups
- West Ham: Aréola - Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Kilman, Scarles - Magassa, Potts, Fernandes - Bowen, Summerville, Felipe
- Nottingham: Sels - Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Williams - Anderson, Luiz, Gibbs-White - Hutchinson, Bakwa, Jesus
Prediction
In my view, Nottingham currently look more convincing than West Ham. Unlike the Londoners, they have shown flashes of quality, suggesting a more stable form. Therefore, I believe Nottingham have a better chance of winning, but as a safer option, I recommend betting on Nottingham with an Asian handicap of 0.
