Can the Tricky Trees turn things around again?

While Crystal Palace has nothing left to play for in the league, Nottingham Forest could still qualify for the UEFA Champions League. However, the Tricky Trees have lost three of their last four league games (one win) and have slipped to sixth place. If Crystal Palace fail to beat Nottingham, it would be another setback for the Reds from the East Midlands.

However, the Tricky Trees are now visiting a favorite opponent. In the Premier League, Forest are unbeaten in nine meetings with the Glaziers (four wins, five draws). Overall, they have lost only one of their last 14 league games against Palace (six wins, seven draws). Accordingly, the prediction for Crystal Palace against Nottingham is that the Reds will take something away from Selhurst Park, especially as the Tricky Trees have won two of their last three Premier League away games in London (one defeat).

Crystal Palace, on the other hand, have not won in their last four Premier League games (two draws, two defeats), but made history last weekend with a 3-0 home win over Aston Villa: The Eagles reached the FA Cup final for the third time in their history, after 1990 and 2016, and will now face Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on May 17, 2025, for their first major title. It is clear that the Eagles will have to improve defensively against the Cityzens’ formidable attack. This Premier League match offers them a chance to prove their compactness.

Crystal Palace – Statistics & current form

Crystal Palace are winless in their last four Premier League games (two draws, two defeats) and are in danger of ending the season on a losing streak. The defense has shown serious weaknesses recently. In April alone, the team conceded 14 goals, a figure only surpassed once before in a single month in the club’s Premier League history, in December 2020. What’s more, the Eagles have failed to win any of their last eight league games against Nottingham Forest.

Particularly striking is their persistent weakness in Monday evening games. In their last 24 Monday games in the Premier League, they have only managed three wins – one of which was in May 2024, a 4-0 victory over Manchester United. Their recent record against promoted teams or teams from the lower half of the table is also mixed, which is having a negative impact on their current points average.

All good things come in threes in the FA Cup?

On an individual level, however, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Eberechi Eze are providing some positive highlights: Mateta has scored ten times in his last 13 league games and scored all of his goals in 2025. He already scored 14 goals between January and May last season. Eze, on the other hand, has been directly involved in a goal in 13 of his last 18 starts. One more goal would make him the first Palace player since the club’s return to the top flight in 2013 to score double digits in goals and assists in a single season.

Most recently, the Glaziers not only held city rivals Arsenal to a draw (2-2), but also caused a sensation in the FA Cup. With a resounding 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, the capital club advanced to the final for the third time in their history. This shows that their recent winless streak in the Premier League should not be overrated, which is why we would not categorically rule out a home win in our Crystal Palace vs. Nottingham prediction.

Nottingham – Statistics & current form

Nottingham Forest travels to Crystal Palace with an impressive record: in nine Premier League matches against the Eagles, they have not lost a single game (four wins, five draws) – Forest is unbeaten in the competition against no other team with more than two games. Overall, the Tricky Trees have won two of their last three away games in London – as many as in their previous 23 visits to the capital.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been particularly strong away from home this season. Nine wins on the road is already the second-highest tally in the club’s history in the English top flight. Only in the 1977/78, 1978/79 and 1994/95 seasons did they achieve ten or more away wins – and each time this was accompanied by a top-three finish. Accordingly, hopes are high that they can still qualify for the Champions League.

Nottingham hoping for Chris Wood

To do so, however, the Garibaldi Reds must halt their recent slump. Not only did the East Midlands side lose to Manchester City (0-2) in the FA Cup semi-finals, but they also lost three of their last four Premier League games (one win). Against this backdrop, it’s no surprise that the odds are stacked against the Tricky Trees in Crystal Palace’s match against Nottingham. The Betano app offers odds of 3.30 for a win for Nottingham.

If they do manage to secure their tenth away win of the 2024/25 season, striker Chris Wood could once again play a key role. The veteran has scored 17 goals in his last 24 Premier League away games and currently has nine away goals this season. Should he score again, he would be the first Forest player to score double digits away from home in a Premier League season.

Crystal Palace – Nottingham Head-to-head record / H2H record

Head to head: 16 – 22 – 30

A total of 68 matches have been played between the two teams so far, with Nottingham Forest leading the head-to-head record with 30 wins. The Tricky Trees also won the first leg at City Ground 1–0 and have never lost to Crystal Palace in nine Premier League encounters (four wins, five draws). In fact, the Eagles have only won one of their last 14 league games against the Reds (six draws, seven defeats).

Crystal Palace – Nottingham Tip

The betting odds from the top bookmakers are leaning towards the Eagles in Crystal Palace’s match against Nottingham. However, it should be noted that the Londoners have nothing left to play for in the league. Everything is focused on the upcoming FA Cup final, while the visitors from the East Midlands still have a chance of qualifying for the Champions League. The Reds are therefore the favorites, despite losing three of their last four league games (one win), but they have already recorded nine away wins in total. Only the already crowned champions from Liverpool (eleven) have more away wins in the league.

Nevertheless, Crystal Palace’s away win against Nottingham comes with a high risk in the forecast. We expect the home team to be more compact defensively after conceding 14 goals in April (the highest in the league). That could cause problems for the Reds, who have failed to score in three of their last four competitive games.