Pundits Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have been giving their views on the outcome of Nottingham Forest's meeting with West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
Reds' boss Steve Cooper is hoping to continue a good run of recent form after seeing champions Manchester City held 1-1 at home last weekend. The Hammers, however, have plenty more work to do if they are to avoid relegation, and will be hoping three points against Forest will set them on the right road. From the other perspective, a win would see Forest climb into 11th place on 28 points.
With that in mind, here is what the former Premier League stars Merson and Sutton have predicted for the London Stadium clash...
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Merson wrote in his SportsKeeda column: "This is a must-win game for West Ham. I don't expect West Ham to get relegated, but it was a lacklustre performance last weekend against Tottenham.
"It was one of their biggest games of the season and some of their players didn't treat it like that. The Hammers punched above their weight last season. It's important in this league to start well. Look at Brighton, Brentford and Fulham. West Ham haven't started the season well and that has majorly affected their campaign.
"Nottingham Forest got dominated by Manchester City last weekend. I couldn't believe the game ended 1-1. It could have so easily been 7-1 if City had put their chances away. I think West Ham are going to get an extremely important win this weekend."
Merson's prediction: West Ham 2-0 Nottingham Forest.
Sutton told BBC Sport: "West Ham manager David Moyes has been given the full support of the club's board this week, but his future still looks far from secure. I am a fan of Moyes and it's great to see managers get that kind of backing and be given more time, but ultimately it is fan power which will decide whether he stays or not and this has become a must-win game for him.
"If West Ham don't beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday then I fear things will turn ugly at London Stadium and the home crowd will be calling for Moyes to go. Moyes is partly a victim of raising expectations by finishing seventh last season, and I hope he does win this game because he deserves to keep his job, but his side are definitely underachieving this time around despite some expensive signings last summer.
"Forest are five points and five places above the Hammers and far from safe themselves. They also have the worst away record in the top flight this season, with one win and only six points in total from 11 games. Steve Cooper's side got away with one, somehow, by nicking a draw against Manchester City last weekend - but I don't look at Forest and think many teams are going to struggle to break them down.
"If things are going to change (for West Ham) on Saturday a lot will depend on Danny Ings, who will be fit to start against Forest, but it's still hard to make a case for the Hammers to get the win Moyes needs, and I don't know whether a draw will be enough for him."
Sutton's prediction: West Ham 1-1 Nottingham Forest.
What is your prediction for the game against West Ham? Tell us in the comments section...
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