West Ham Hosts Nottingham Forest in Crucial Match for Champions League Bid

London, England — Nottingham Forest travels to London Stadium on Sunday afternoon, May 18, 2025, as they continue their fight for a spot in the UEFA Champions League. The team sits in seventh place, just one point away from fifth-place Chelsea, making this match crucial to their aspirations.

A loss to West Ham would end Forest’s chances of finishing in the top five, while a draw would severely hamper their hopes. The team has been struggling lately, with no victories in their last three matches. They must win this weekend to keep their dreams alive ahead of a pivotal final match against Chelsea.

West Ham, currently 15th in the Premier League, is looking to finish the season on a high note after snapping an eight-game winless streak with a 2-0 victory over Manchester United last weekend. Head Coach Graham Potter hopes to leverage this momentum to secure further points in the final two matches of the season.

In terms of injuries, West Ham will miss Michail Antonio and Crysencio Summerville, but the rest of the squad appears fit. Meanwhile, Forest’s Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering from recent surgery following a serious injury sustained last weekend against Leicester City. Coach Nuno Espírito Santo hopes for the best as Awoniyi’s condition improves.

“We are concerned but we are positive,” said Espírito Santo regarding Awoniyi. The manager emphasized the need for his team to rally together in this crucial stretch of the season.

Nottingham Forest’s last encounter with West Ham ended in a 3-0 victory at home in November 2024, boosting their confidence ahead of this decisive clash. This upcoming match marks the 122nd competitive meeting between the two teams, with West Ham narrowly edging the historical rivalry.

Both teams have much at stake, with Forest aiming for European qualification and West Ham seeking to finish their season positively. The match is set to kick off at 2:15 PM BST, with high-stakes drama expected at London Stadium.