Football News

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest predictions, odds, betting tips and team news

By Yaseen Zaman

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest prediction, stats, tips and team news

Published: 13:30, 3 May 2025

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest meet in the Premier League on Monday 5th May at 8pm.

The game will be played at Selhurst Park, where Palace are undefeated in their last four games. Meanwhile, Forest have not won at the Eagles’ ground since 2012. This game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Premier League.

Draw (23/10 with Sky Bet)

Crystal Palace have been impressive at home recently, dominating opponents. Winning three of their last five league matches at Selhurst Park, they have demonstrated resilience and growing confidence. This strong home performance is characterised by a solid defensive structure (four goals conceded and two clean sheets in those five matches) and attacking flair, scoring crucial goals at pivotal moments.

In stark contrast, despite enjoying a strong season overall, Nottingham Forest has encountered a troubling decline in form in recent weeks. While they have had their share of successes, the Trees have suffered losses in five of their last ten league games, raising concerns about their consistency.

This downturn has been marked by a series of missed opportunities and defensive lapses that have cost them valuable points. As they navigate this challenging phase, the players and coaching staff must regroup and refocus, aiming to recapture the form that initially propelled them to a commendable position in the race for Champions League football. The upcoming matches will be crucial for Forest as they seek to regain their momentum and solidify their place in the competition.

Under 2.5 goals (10/11 with Betfred)

Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest have seen the third and fifth fewest goals in their Premier League games this season, with the Eagles seeing just 90 goals in their matches and Forest slightly ahead at 94. These figures place both teams among the lowest scorers in the Premier League, highlighting a shared challenge in their offensive play.

Analysing their recent performances, it becomes evident that their last five encounters have consistently produced fewer than 2.5 goals. This trend underscores not only their difficulties in converting chances but also suggests a pattern of tightly contested matches where defensive strategies have taken precedence over attacking flair.

As they prepare for their upcoming clash, the historical context of their previous meetings indicates that fans should temper their expectations for a high-scoring affair. Instead, the match will likely reflect the teams’ current form, focusing on solid defensive organisation and a battle for midfield control, rather than an abundance of goals.

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Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest Odds

How both teams go into Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest

Despite a mid-season surge from Crystal Palace, which saw them win eight of twelve league games between late December and early April, Oliver Glasner’s team is winless in their last four Premier League matches (two draws and two losses). Their last longer winless run was eight games at the start of the season. They conceded 14 Premier League goals in April, the most of any side—their joint most in a single month in Premier League history, equaling their 14 conceded in December 2020. They appear set to finish just outside the Premier League’s top half again in the 2024–25 season. The Eagles are mathematically safe from relegation but are thirteen points behind sixth place, the final European qualification position.

Overall, Palace’s performance this season has been unremarkable, but there is one shining light in the guise of Eberechi Eze, who has been involved in 13 goals in his last 18 starts in all competitions (6 goals, 7 assists). Another goal would see him become the first Palace player since they returned to the Premier League in 2013 to have both 10+ goals and 10+ assists in all competitions in a season.

On the other hand, Nottingham Forest is deeply involved in one of the most thrilling battles for Champions League qualification in recent memory. Manchester City, in third place, and Aston Villa, in seventh, are separated by just four points with five games remaining in the season. Forest has been particularly effective against teams in the bottom half of the table, having collected 43 of a possible 48 points in those matchups this season. They have never lost in nine Premier League meetings with Palace (W4 D5), the only opponent they have faced more than twice in the competition without losing, and the only side Palace has faced five or more times in the Premier League without winning.

It’s worth noting that Forest have won nine away Premier League matches this season and have only won 10 or more top-flight away matches in a season on three occasions—in 1977–78 (finished 1st), 1978–79 (2nd), and 1994–95 (3rd). A key reason behind their road form has been Chris Wood, who has scored 17 goals in his last 24 Premier League away appearances for Nottingham Forest and has nine away goals this season. No Forest player has ever scored 10 away goals in a season. He could be the sixth player to score 10 or more home goals and 10 or more away goals in a Premier League season over the age of 30, with Mohamed Salah also achieving that feat in 2024–25.

Crystal Palace team news

The only minor setback for Palace during their semi-final last weekend was Tyrick Mitchell’s late exit due to a knock; however, the Eagles’ starting left-back has not suffered any serious injury and is expected to be available for Monday’s match. Consequently, Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure remain the only fitness concerns for Glasner, while on-loan goalkeeper Matt Turner is ineligible to face his parent club, though he would not have replaced Dean Henderson in the lineup. With a full five days to recover before the upcoming match against Tottenham Hotspur on May 11, Glasner has every reason to field his strongest team.

Nottingham Forest team news

Nottingham Forest faced further setbacks on Thursday night as Callum Hudson-Odoi exited the match with a suspected hamstring injury, likely sidelining him for the upcoming trip to the capital. However, manager Nuno Espirito Santo has several options to replace the former Chelsea player; Nicolas Dominguez played in the second half during the defeat to Brentford, while Ramon Sosa and Jota Silva also present viable alternatives in the attacking lineup. The only other injury concern for Forest is Eric da Silva Moreira, who is dealing with an ankle issue.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest head-to-head

As noted, the match between Palace and Nottingham Forest typically results in few goals. Although the Eagles are currently performing better than Forest, they have only managed to win one of their last 14 league encounters with Nottingham Forest, recording 6 draws and 7 losses. Additionally, they have not won in their last eight matches against Forest, with 5 draws and 3 losses since their 1-0 victory in the Championship back in December 2011.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest H2H
Date Score Competition
21/10/24 Nottingham Forest 1-0 Crystal Palace Premier League
30/03/24 Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace Premier League
07/10/23 Crystal Palace 0-0 Nottingham Forest Premier League
28/05/23 Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest Premier League
12/11/22 Nottingham Forest 1-0 Crystal Palace Premier League

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