Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest Prediction: 24.08.2025 English Premier League Preview

As the English Premier League 2025/26 season hits its stride, Crystal Palace host Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park in a clash that promises tactical intrigue and statistical nuance. Both teams started the campaign with distinctly different results – Palace, managed by Oliver Glasner, seeking to convert their defensive solidity into three points, while Forest, on the back of a galvanising victory, carry fresh momentum under Nuno Espírito Santo. This is a fixture where midfield battles could tip the scales, and sharp eyes will be on those who dictate the game’s rhythm.

When sizing up the impact players, Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta stands out with two goals in his last three appearances, providing a clinical edge up front. On the Forest side, Chris Wood – fresh off a remarkable brace against Brentford – carries all the threat in and around the box. Their contributions are set to be nothing short of pivotal as both teams look to cement their top-half ambitions early on.

Hot stat: Crystal Palace have attempted a whopping 56 shots in their last five matches, highlighting their commitment to chance creation – a figure that dwarfs Forest’s 11 and suggests that Selhurst Park should witness no shortage of attacking enterprise from the hosts.

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Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest prediction

The best value prediction for this fixture is a Crystal Palace victory, with “Draw No Bet” insurance on the hosts providing optimum value. Palace have posted a strong home record this year (60% win rate in 35 games) and are brimming with confidence after a resolute performance against Chelsea. Their sustained attacking output, shown in their impressive shot numbers, positions them well to capitalise on Forest’s sometimes fragile defence away from home.

From a stylistic perspective, Palace favour a controlled, possession-based game – 1173 passes in their last five matches with a solid 80.6% accuracy rate. Not only does this reflect discipline, but it suggests they can dictate proceedings, especially in midfield. Nottingham Forest, by contrast, have operated with fewer passes (417 in five matches) and a noticeably lower accuracy (about 82%), hinting at a more direct, pragmatic approach relying on transitions. In terms of discipline, Palace have 21 fouls and 3 yellow cards in their last five, while Forest are remarkably tidy with just 7 fouls and a single booking. This discrepancy may see Palace press more confidently, while Forest look to hit them on the break. Expect a tightly-contested opening but Palace’s attacking edge is likely to show through.

Team Analysis

Crystal Palace arrive in this encounter unbeaten in their last five, having just eked out a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Chelsea. Their previous run included a loose and lively 5-4 win over Liverpool, evidencing a capacity to turn games on their head when required. Palace’s defence, marshalled by Marc Guehi and kept safe by Dean Henderson, has shown growing cohesion, while the likes of Eberechi Eze create from deep and supply the in-form Mateta. Possession has been the bedrock of their style, as seen in their high pass count and a strong ability to recover quickly from setbacks, with only one defeat in their last seven matches.

Nottingham Forest enter with a significant psychological boost after dispatching Brentford 3-1 – Chris Wood scoring a poacher’s brace. But that result snapped a patchy streak, with just one win in their last seven and a raft of goalless draws suggesting the attack can stagnate if not given early impetus. Forest generally mirror Palace’s shape with a 3-4-2-1 formation, but the absence of sustained attacking threat (just 11 shots in as many matches) puts pressure on their backline to hold firm. Morgan Gibbs-White and Dan Ndoye offer creative outlets, but Forest’s midfield must bridge the gap to the front if they’re to trouble Palace at Selhurst Park.

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🚨Read our full Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest stats for more analysis.

Pre-game odds and win probability: Crystal Palace the favourite

• Moneyline Crystal Palace 2.43 | Nottingham Forest 3.20
• Draw 3.30
• Over/Under Over 2.5 2.25 | Under 2.5 1.65
• BTTS (both teams to score) Yes 1.85 | No 1.95

The odds reflect Palace’s slight home edge and superior recent form. While Forest have the ability to spring surprises, their win rate and shot production away from home are concerns. The value lies heavily with Palace – especially with cover for a possible stalemate, as their solidity should curtail Forest’s sporadic threat. A low-scoring game is anticipated given both sides’ tendency to play cautiously in early season fixtures.

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Possible Starting Lineups

Crystal Palace possible starting eleven

• GK: Dean Henderson
• DF: Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell
• MF: Adam Wharton, Jefferson Lerma, Will Hughes, Daniel Muñoz
• FW: Ismaila Sarr, Eberechi Eze
• CF: Jean-Philippe Mateta

Having consulted recent lineups, Palace will likely retain their trusted 3-4-2-1, with the composed Henderson behind a robust defensive trio of Lacroix, Guehi, and Mitchell. In midfield, the creativity of Eze and industry of Wharton and Lerma should complement Sarr’s pace and Mateta’s physicality. Daniel Muñoz provides an energetic option down the flank. Mateta is the breakout danger man here, but watch Eze – his ability to unlock defences is second to none in this Palace side.

Nottingham Forest possible starting eleven

• GK: Matz Sels
• DF: Murillo, Nikola Milenković, Ola Aina
• MF: Neco Williams, Ibrahim Sangaré, Ryan Yates, Elliot Anderson
• FW: Morgan Gibbs-White, Dan Ndoye
• CF: Chris Wood

Forest will almost certainly mirror Palace’s 3-4-2-1 setup, trusting Sels in goal and a backline featuring Murillo and Milenković. In midfield, the steel of Sangaré and Yates should keep things tight, while the attacking trio of Gibbs-White and Ndoye behind talisman Wood will shoulder the goalscoring burden. Chris Wood, in particularly rich form, is Forest’s main hope if they are to get anything here, but Gibbs-White’s vision can be the fulcrum to unlock Palace’s defence.

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My take on the Match

All things considered, this feels set up for a narrow Crystal Palace victory – perhaps 1-0 or 2-0 – grounded in their superior shot creation and recent defensive composure. The Eagles look strong at home, with Mateta and Eze poised to break the deadlock against a Forest side who, while capable, lack the cutting edge away from the City Ground. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men will be stubborn, and if Chris Wood gets even a sniff, Palace must be wary. But, for our money, Palace’s tactical discipline and home crowd have them flying high on this August afternoon.

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