West Ham’s latest chapter in their survival charge sees Bournemouth head to the London Stadium on Saturday evening.
An improving Hammers outfit have lost just one of their last seven games in all competitions, a run that has put them to within a victory of 17th place Nottingham Forest. Having been in the bottom three since November, Nuno Espírito Santo's team even have the chance to apply pressure and move level on points with his former club, who play Liverpool on Sunday.
Close encounters
Recent games between West Ham and Bournemouth have been tight affairs. Five of the last six matches have been draws, including the 2-2 score line back in November. The Hammers are unbeaten in 10 games against the Cherries in all competitions, the last defeat coming back in January 2019.
Speaking to the press in his pre-match press conference, the Portuguese manager knows that his side can only focus on themselves, in the midst of one of the more open relegation battles the Premier League has seen for years.
"I see it as another game where we have to focus on ourselves and do our job. We have to ignore what’s happening with the other teams. It’s a massive game for us, and another important game at home.
The players are ready for the battle. This is what we are working on - getting them ready so they can perform. They are ready."
Lifted spirits
A rocking atmosphere at home to Manchester United last time out epitomised the change in mood and belief amongst fans and squad, as the Olympic Stadium attempts to become a fortress. After winning just four games at home in the whole of 2024, West Ham's survival chances would be boosted with a run of results in front of their own fans.
“We’ve been able to show character under tough circumstances” 🗣️#TalkingPoint with @LycamobileUK 📞 pic.twitter.com/cs7dSg7jp5
— West Ham United (@WestHam) February 19, 2026
Nuno has no doubts about the attitude of the team backed by the supporters, with every game now feeling like a cup final.
"We can expect a good atmosphere at London Stadium again, with the fans helping us and us helping the fans, and we will try to work together.
I see the players every day, training and preparing themselves. What I’ve realised is that they’ve got the commitment, and the desire to get out of this situation. You can see that desire every day.
We see them work, getting ready for the game, speaking to each other and helping each other. This togetherness is what we want and need. We need character, and I think we’ve shown character in tough circumstances."
Bournemouth on the up
Andoni Iraola's side will be far from an easy task, having also started to hit form after a rocky patch in which they failed to win in 11 league games.
Since the dramatic last minute winner against Tottenham last month, the South coast side are unbeaten in six games, including a win against Liverpool. The result has left them just five points off a European spot. The stats also show the attacking nature of the team this season. They rank in the top six this season for both goals scored and shots per game.
"We want to play our game, but we realise it’s a tough opponent." said Nuno.
"Bournemouth are in a good dynamic, playing well and getting good results. They have good players, a good manager, so we know it’s going to be tough, but it’s up to us to put in a good performance.
We have to realise the threats they have, and contain them. It’s up to us to play a good game, and overcome the challenge that they will bring."
The Taty effect
The impact of new signing Taty Castellanos, quickly becoming a fan favourite, has also contributed to the improvement in form. The Argentine international, who joined from Lazio in January, has scored two goals since his arrival, although it's his work ethic that has looked most promising.
"We’ve been lucky to have him. Since he joined us I think he’s brought a lot of good things to the team - his energy, hard work, goals and the way he plays football.
We decided to bring him in because we believe in him. We believe in him, and so he started the next day (against Nottingham Forest the day after he signed). If it was the same day it would have been the same situation because there was a clear need for a player in that position."
Nuno confirmed no new injury concerns following last week's win at Burton, in which several players were rested. Pablo Felipe continues his recovery, while Freddie Potts begins the first of his three-match ban following last weekend's red card. Jean-Clair Todibo is available again after his sending off at Chelsea last month.
