Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace: Lineups, Team News and Prediction

In a crucial Premier League clash at the bottom end of the table, 17th-placed Nottingham Forest welcome 15th-placed Crystal Palace to the City Ground. The match is set for Sunday 1st February, 2026, with kick-off at 2 PM GMT, as both sides look to solidify their position away from the relegation zone and gain vital points in the fight for survival.

Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace Form

Nottingham Forest arrive in mixed form, having secured a dominant 4-0 victory against Ferencvaros in their last Europa League outing. However, their most recent Premier League fixture saw them fall to a 2-0 defeat away at Brentford. Over their last six matches across all competitions, the home side has recorded two wins, one draw, and three losses, placing them 14th in the league's six-game form table.

Crystal Palace's recent performances have been concerning, with their last Premier League match ending in a 3-1 away loss to Chelsea. The Eagles have endured a difficult run, failing to win any of their last eight Premier League matches. Across their last six outings in all competitions, the visitors have managed two draws and four defeats, leaving them at the very bottom, 20th, in the league's six-game form table.

Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace Head to Head

The most recent encounter between these two teams, played in August 2025 in the Premier League, ended in a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace's home ground. This result continues a trend of tight contests between the sides. Over their last six meetings, Nottingham Forest have held the upper hand, securing one victory and drawing five times, meaning they remain undefeated against Crystal Palace in this period. A notable fact from their head-to-head record is that eight of their last eight matches have seen fewer than 2.5 goals scored.

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Nottingham Forest vs. Crystal Palace Odds

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Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace Probable Lineups

Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1):

Sels; Williams, Milenkovic, Murillo, Aina; Sangaré, Anderson; Domínguez, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus

Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1):

Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Canvot; Mitchell, Hughes, Lerma, Muñoz; Sarr, Johnson; Mateta

Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace Team News

Nottingham Forest will be without several key players for this fixture. Chris Wood, John Victor, and Nicolò Savona are all sidelined with knee injuries. Wood's continued absence, in particular, will limit the team's aerial presence in the box. Despite these setbacks, Forest's recent defensive solidity has been noted, with the team prioritising compactness.

Crystal Palace also face significant absentees. Adam Wharton is suspended, a considerable blow as his absence removes crucial ball progression and defensive coverage from midfield. Additionally, Eddie Nketiah, Daichi Kamada, and Cheick Doucouré are all out due to injury. The visitors' current struggles are compounded by these missing players, especially Wharton's influence on their midfield balance.

Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace Match Facts

• Nottingham Forest have seen under 2.5 goals in their last 8 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
• Nottingham Forest have drawn 5 of their last 6 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
• Crystal Palace have failed to win their last 8 matches in Premier League.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1-0 Crystal Palace

This fixture pits two teams struggling for consistency against each other, but Nottingham Forest appear to have found a new defensive resilience under their management. Their recent back-to-back clean sheets, despite facing a high volume of shots, highlight a pragmatic approach. Forest's average possession of 48.91% and 82.71% accurate passes suggest a controlled, if not dominant, style of play. They also boast a higher average rating of 6.56 compared to Palace's 6.65, indicating overall stronger performances in the tournament.

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, are in a prolonged slump, failing to win any of their last eight Premier League matches. Despite creating scoring chances (level 5 strength), their finishing has been a significant weakness (level 2), scoring just ten open-play goals all season. The absence of Adam Wharton further disrupts their midfield, potentially hindering their ability to convert chances. Historically, matches between these two sides have been low-scoring affairs, with five of the last six ending in draws and the home side avoiding defeat in all of them. Given Forest's defensive improvements and Palace's struggles in front of goal and recent away form, a narrow home victory seems the most likely outcome.

Best Bet: Under 2.5 Goals (-134) Click here to get the best odds at FanDuel Sportsbook

Considering the historical data that shows Nottingham Forest have seen under 2.5 goals in their last eight matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions, coupled with Palace's current struggles to find the net and Forest's improved defensive organisation, betting on Under 2.5 Goals appears to be a solid choice. Both teams are likely to prioritise defensive solidity in this crucial encounter, leading to a tight, low-scoring affair.

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