Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

We are backing Nottingham Forest to come away with three points at home to a struggling Crystal Palace. Forest have started the season well, sitting tenth in the league. They have recorded big results, including a 1-0 win over Liverpool and 1-1 draw at Chelsea. The hosts have only lost once in their last seven and currently have double the points they had at this stage in the last two seasons.

In contrast, Palace have had an awful start to the campaign. They have yet to record a win in the Premier League and have lost four of their seven games so far. Despite picking up draws against Man United and Chelsea, they have struggled to build any sort of momentum and have been unable to secure positive results – Nottingham Forest 2-0 Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace travel to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, as they still search for their first win of the season.

Date: 21/10/24

Kick-off time: 20:00

Venue: City Ground

It has been a dreadful start to the campaign for Crystal Palace, who entered the season with plenty of optimism under new manager Oliver Glasner. After seven games, they sit in 18th place with just three points. They have yet to taste victory this year, suffering four defeats, including two in a row. However, they have picked up draws against Chelsea and Man United, though have found it very difficult to build momentum.

They are hosted by a Nottingham Forest side who have enjoyed a much better start. Looking to maintain their top flight status for another year, they currently are in 10th place. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side had gone the first five games of the season unbeaten before they were defeated by Fulham. They responded well to take a draw away at Chelsea last time out.

The departure of Michael Olise over the summer has seen Palace struggle going forward. More of the responsibility now rests on the shoulders of Eberechi Eze, and so far he has failed to deliver. As a team, Palace have scored just five goals this season, only Southampton have recorded fewer. It does not get any easier at the weekend as they face a Forest defence who have conceded just six goals. This is the second-best figure in the league. They have only conceded more than one goal in a game once. That being said, Forest are yet to win a game at home, with two draws and a loss.

As good as they are defensively, Forest are not as potent going forward. They have some dangerous players, but have scored just seven goals. Chris Wood will be the main man to watch out for as he leads the way with four goals. Morgan Gibbs-White’s absence is a huge blow for the home side as he is a key member in their midfield. Palace have kept one clean sheet in the league all season, so it could be an opportunity for both sides to enjoy some attacking success.

There has been very little to split these two sides in recent seasons. The pair have met four times in the Premier League since 2022, with the last three games ending in a draw. Forest won the first meeting 1-0 at home. Last season, they played a goalless draw at Selhurst Park, before a 1-1 in the reverse fixture.

Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League.

Nottingham Forest

James Ward-Prowse will not be available as he serves a suspension for picking up two yellow cards in the last game. Morgan Gibbs-White will be out as he continues to recover from an ankle injury. Ibrahim Sangare and Danilo also remain out.

Crystal Palace

Chris Richards and Cheick Doucoure could make their returns from injury. Matheus Franca remains out with no return date set.

Nottingham Forest:

In their last five games, Nottingham Forest have won one, lost one and drawn three. A 1-1 draw started this run, coming away with a point at Wolves. Chris Wood scored 10 minutes in, though they were pegged back two minutes later. Following the international break, they picked up a huge three points at Anfield, beating Liverpool 1-0. Callum Hudson-Odoi produced an excellent finish to give them the lead with 18 minutes to go, one they would not relinquish.

Forest then travelled to another unbeaten team in Brighton. They maintained their streak with a 2-2 draw. They took the lead through a Wood penalty, but the hosts turned it around with goals from Jack Hinshelwood and Danny Welbeck. Ramon Sosa levelled the score with 20 minutes to go.

They lost their first game of the season at home to Fulham. Raul Jimenez scored the decisive goal early in the second half to take all three points. Forest responded very well with a point at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Wood gave them the lead, but they were unable to hold on as Noni Madueke equalised shortly after.

Crystal Palace:

In their last five games, Crystal Palace have won one, drawn two and lost two. It has been a difficult stretch for Palace as their slow start to the season continues. This run started with a 2-2 draw at home to Leicester, though they will see it as a point gained. They fell 2-0 behind to goals from Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi, before Jean-Phillippe Mateta pulled one back. He then levelled from the spot in stoppage time.

Attention shifted to EFL Cup action as they advanced with a 2-1 win at Championship side QPR. Eddie Nketiah and Eberechi Eze scored either side of a Sam Field equaliser. A tough home fixture against Man United followed, but they were able to hold them to a goalless draw, and could have taken all three points with chances of their own.

An opportunity to pick up a win came at struggling Everton, but the Toffees came out on top 2-1. Marc Guehi opened the scoring early, but a brace from Dwight McNeil turned it around. Last time out Palace hosted Liverpool, though fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat. Diogo Jota scored the winner in the ninth minute.

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