Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

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·4. Mai 2025

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest: Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

Crystal Palace are winless in eight meetings with Nottingham Forest, dating back to 2011, with Forest losing just one of 11 outings at Selhurst Park since 1999.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest preview

As we enter May, this could still be an historic season for both, so will either claim three Premier League points in South London on Monday night? Nottingham Forest's need for points is significantly greater, as their Champions League dreams have started to slip away. Back on Thursday night, the Garibaldi Reds suffered another set back, this time beaten 2-0 by Brentford at the City Ground. That's now three defeats in four for Nuno Espírito Santo's side, who were also dumped out of the FA Cup by Manchester City at Wembley during this demoralising period.

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In Premier League terms, Forest start the weekend sixth, thereby just outside the Champions League positions, but it's very much still all the play for. After this, their remaining fixtures are Leicester (H), West Ham (A) and Chelsea (H), that game on the final day could be decisive, but Forest really need a victory in South London, to both left morale but also keep them in touch with those just above.

As for Crystal Palace, this will be their first outing since an historic triumph at Wembley. The Eagles demolished Aston Villa 3-0 in the FA Cup semi-finals last weekend, with Eberechi Eze's rocket breaking the deadlock, before Ismaïla Sarr's second half brace secured victory. Palace have therefore reached only a third FA Cup Final, dreaming of capturing major silverware for the very first time.

Back in the league, since gaining promotion in 2013, the Eagles have always finished between tenth and 15th, a trend that's likely to continue, considering they kick off 12th. Oliver Glasner's team are actually without a win in four league games, but Palace supporters aren't too bothered about that, with this game, and then Sunday's visit to Spurs, all about fine-tuning for the cup final in 12 days time. So, can a dangerous Palace side massivly dent Forest's Champions League dreams at Selhurst?

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest head-to-head record

Matches Played: 68.

Crystal Palace Wins: 16. Draws: 22. Nottingham Forest Wins: 30.

Crystal Palace team news

Having had over a week without a game, Oliver Glasner's side will be refreshed, and he could name an unchanged team from the one that demolished Aston Villa. The only question mark comes in midfield; Daichi Kamada was a surprise starter at Wembley, so will he continue to get the nod over Jefferson Lerma? Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucouré remain sidelined.

Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest: (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Guéhi, Lacroix; Muñoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze, Mateta.

Crystal Palace player to watch vs Nottingham Forest

Jean-Philippe Mateta has 17 goals to his name this season, despite skewing a spot-kick wide at Wembley, so will he net against Forest, just as he did during a 1-1 draw at the City Ground last March?

Nottingham Forest team news

Nuno Espírito Santo will surely be pleased this is a Monday night match, following Thursday's defeat, but will he make any changes to his team? Ola Aina was a welcome return to his back-line against Brentford, having not featured since April Fool's Day due to a calf injury.

Midfielder Danilo was hooked at half time at Wembley, before not even featuring in the matchday squad last mid-week, so Nicolás Domínguez could come into midfield alongside Elliot Anderson, displacing club captain Ryan Yates. Lastly, in a potentially major blow, Callum Hudson-Odoi was replaced at half time against Brentford, so faces a race against time to be available for this one.

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Domínguez, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Jota Silva; Wood.

Nottingham Forest player to watch vs Crystal Palace

Chris Wood has scored 19 Premier League goals this season, while the New Zealander has netted six times against Palace, seeking to find the target in a third successive encounter with the Eagles.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest prediction

This Monday night match is so difficult to call, hence why we're sitting on the fence and forecasting a draw, although no outcome would surprise us: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest.