West Ham United travel north to take on Nottingham Forest back in the Premier League this Saturday, looking for a strong response to last weekend’s home disappointment against Arsenal.
The Hammers have gone five games without a win in the top flight - and two without any share of the spoils - though their last victory was indeed on the road, away to the Gunners at the end of December.
Forest - who fell 3-2 at London Stadium in the reverse fixture - have similarly failed to claim three points in the league since the turn of the new year, and Nuno Espírito Santo’s 16th-placed charges will be desperate to come out on top following a run of three losses in four games.
With so much to play for, both sides will be full of individuals looking to provide the touch of magic required to make the difference on the day, meaning there are a number of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) decisions to be made in the lead up to kick-off.
The Gameweek 25 transfer deadline is set for 11am on Saturday 17 February, ahead of a mouth-watering feast of weekend and midweek action, that begins two-and-a-half hours before West Ham’s Forest clash at the City Ground.
While we will be giving you FPL tips and tricks throughout the remainder of the 2023/24 season on whufc.com, see below for some of our picks for the upcoming round…
Bowen and Ward-Prowse look to topple the Tricky Trees
He may be without a Premier League goal since 23 December, but Jarrod Bowen (£7.8m) remains the Club’s top scorer this season by some margin, with his eleven league efforts almost double the tally of second-ranked Mohammed Kudus (six).
The 27-year-old - who has accrued 118 FPL points so far this year - has scored four times and notched two assists in ten outings against Forest during his career, and he will be confident of turning around his recent misfortunes by striking against a team who have conceded nine times in their previous four games.
Furthermore, Bowen’s price has fallen following the Arsenal match, meaning he could represent great value for money if he were to be added to your FPL side for Gameweek 25.
Also a midfield pick, James Ward-Prowse (£6.0m) has been among the Hammers’ stronger scorers during a run of unsatisfactory results, and always offers a threat from set-pieces.
The summer signing scored successive penalties in the January draws against Sheffield United and AFC Bournemouth, and will be looking to increase his current record of five goals and six assists here.
Opposition watch: Nottingham Forest
Winger Callum Hudson-Odoi (£4.7m) scored Forest’s second goal in their narrow 3-2 defeat at home to Newcastle United last time out - his third of the season and second in two league games.
The 23-year-old - who burst onto the Premier League scene as a youngster at Chelsea, and enjoyed a spell on loan at Bayer Leverkusen before signing for Forest in September - has made a big impact as a starter in his last two games.
Indeed, 19 of his 51 FPL points have come in those two matches, and considering his relatively low price, he could prove to be a shrewd addition to any squad.
Elswhere, forward Taiwo Awoniyi (£6.3m) is worth thinking about, with top scorer Chris Wood currently out of action with a hamstring injury.
Awoniyi marked his own return from injury with a goal in a home defeat to Arsenal late last month, and he has since started Forest’s last two games up top. Having hit the ground running at the start of the season - with three goals in his first three games - the Nigeria international could be one to watch.
Join Hammers’ supporters’ league
Don't forget to join the Official West Ham United FPL League by clicking HERE and entering the code 5ycfoa.
Also, congratulations to Billy Green, who is top of the West Ham supporters’ league with 1,560 points heading into Gameweek 25.
