Nottingham Forest face Crystal Palace in what is shaping up to be one of the most significant fixtures of their season. With Forest sitting 17th and Palace just two places above them in 15th, both sides find themselves uncomfortably close to the drop zone. A recent resurgence from West Ham has tightened the bottom half of the table, dragging both clubs closer to the relegation battle and adding further weight to this crucial encounter.
For Forest, the objective is clear: create daylight between themselves and the bottom three. Palace, meanwhile, desperately need a stabilising result to halt a worrying slide in form. The tension surrounding the fixture suggests a cautious, hardfought contest in front of a City Ground crowd whose intensity and loyalty have repeatedly served as a decisive advantage this season.
Palace arrive in Nottingham still struggling to adapt following the departure of their two standout players. The loss of Eberechi Eze has blunted their attacking creativity, while the sale of defender Marc Guehi has left them noticeably fragile at the back. The uncertainty surrounding manager Oliver Glasner who has already confirmed he will leave at the end of the campaign despite previously delivering the club’s highestever league finish and a historic cup win has further compounded the unease. The combination of injuries, key exits and managerial transition has created a perfect storm, one that has visibly drained confidence from the squad.
Forest’s season has been inconsistent, but since Sean Dyche’s arrival the team has shown more structure, resilience and collective cohesion. Despite this improvement, a persistent lack of fit strikers has hindered Forest’s progress. The longterm injury to Chris Wood and the delayed return of Taiwo Awoniyi have left them short of options, contributing to a worrying statistic: Forest have failed to score in six of their last eleven home matches. Supporters will hope that new signing Lucca can provide a muchneeded focal point, though his match fitness may restrict him to a role from the bench.
Palace’s form offers little reassurance for visiting supporters. They are winless in their last eight matches in all competitions and have suffered three consecutive away defeats. Their goal output has been similarly concerning, with just four goals scored in those eight games and no signs of breaking their drought on the road. Historically, the fixture also leans toward Forest: Palace have failed to beat them in ten Premier League meetings, and Forest have not lost any of the last eight return fixtures. Recent City Ground encounters have typically been narrow affairs, but they have favoured the home side.
Dyche is expected to set his team up with the compact defensive shape that has become their trademark, with an emphasis on quick transitions and exploiting width through Callum HudsonOdoi and likely Omari Hutchinson. Morgan GibbsWhite and Anthony Elanga or Anderson, depending on selection will be tasked with linking midfield and attack, offering creativity and relentless work rate. Forest’s improving setpiece organisation and recent cleansheet record at home will also provide encouragement.
Glasner’s Palace will lean on structured midfield play and pace out wide, though their injury and absentee list makes continuity difficult. Their unavailable players include Daichi Kamada, Eddie Nketiah, Nathaniel Clyne, Cheick Doucouré and Daniel Muñoz, alongside the previously mentioned departures of Eze and Guehi. With their attacking options depleted, Palace will likely prioritise defensive stability, setpiece opportunities and counterattacks.
Statistically, Forest carry a slight edge. Forecasts suggest the hosts have around a 37–41% chance of victory compared to Palace’s 29–37%, with a draw remaining a significant possibility at roughly 25%. All indications point toward another tight, lowscoring encounter. But with Forest’s home crowd behind them and Palace’s confidence at a low ebb, the momentum appears to lean marginally in the hosts’ favour.
Prediction: Nottingham Forest 1–0 Crystal Palace
A narrow win that pushes Forest a further step toward Premier League safety.
