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Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction

Date: February 01, 2026 Venue: The City Ground Kickoff Time: 16:00 This is about far more than just three points for Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. Premier League betting fans can get ready for an intense battle with intriguing odds ahead of kickoff. For Nottingham, it’s a chance to put daylight between themselves and the red zone, while Palace arrives knowing a positive result could steady their season and reignite momentum. The City Ground will be rocking under the floodlights, with Forest supporters fully aware that every home game could be pivotal in the fight for survival. The Eagles, meanwhile, travel north eager to impose themselves, armed with pace, the quality, and the belief that they can spoil the party. By the banks of the River Trent, this has all the ingredients of a classic Premier League afternoon – tense, noisy, and finely balanced.

Marc Strydom
Marc Strydom

Last updated: 2026-01-28

Chad Nagel

5 minutes read

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Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace battles for possession with Morgan Gibbs-White

Adam Wharton and Morgan Gibbs-White / Getty Images

Nottingham Forest host Crystal Palace at the City Ground on 01 February 2026 in a Premier League fixture rich in narrative and significance. With contrasting ambitions, a full house in attendance, and three precious points at stake, the conditions are perfect for a captivating contest. 

Pre-Game Odds & Win Probability

  1. HOME (NOTTINGHAM): 11/10 (2.10) – 47.6% 

  2. DRAW: 49/20 (3.45) – 29% 

  3. AWAY (CRYSTAL PALACE): 53/20 (3.65) – 27.4% 

    Odds courtesy of Xyes, subject to change.

Head-To-Head Record

Last five meetings (All Competitions)

  1. 24/08/2025: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham

  2. 05/05/2025: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham 

  3. 21/10/2024: Nottingham 1-0 Crystal Palace

  4. 30/03/2024: Nottingham 1-1 Crystal Palace 

  5. 07/10/2023: Crystal Palace 0-0 Nottingham 

Nottingham Current Form – WLDDW

Despite the recent dip in form, Nottingham have sparked a clear revival under Sean Dyche, with the improvement on the pitch plain to see. While the fight is not yet finished, there is a growing belief around the club. Forest remains close to the relegation zone, but the path to safety is firmly within reach and will be driven by collective commitment and consistency. 

In the last five games, Forest’s form has been defined by fine margins across both domestic and European football. In the FA Cup, the Tricky Trees were knocked out by Wrexham after a tight penalty shoot-out. At home to Arsenal, a more confident performance frustrated the league leaders, which earned them a well-deserved point, but they suffered defeat to Sporting Braga in the Europa League.

On their travels to Brentford, Forest were impressive and came away with a confidence-boosting victory. Motivated by their home supporters, Nottingham faced Ferencvarosi in their European clash and looked a more confident, in-control side, which put them in the right space as they look to impose more pressure on the shoulders of Glasner while prioritizing maximum points. 

Key Players to watch

  • Morgan Gibbs-White: Gibbs-White influences the game at every level. Operating with creative freedom, he links play intelligently, presses aggressively, and drives forward with purpose. His off-the-ball movement and composed finishing elevate him into a consistent threat for Forest.  
  • Elliot Anderson: Anderson is a dynamic midfielder who brings intensity, drive, and edge to Nottingham’s midfield. Fearless in possession and relentless off the ball, he carries the game forward with purpose and is not afraid to make his presence felt in the final third.   
  • Igor Jesus: Jesus thrives on duels and contact, bullying defenders and leading the line with aggression. His ability to receive the ball under pressure, hold up play, and link attacks with instinctive finishing makes him a key outlet in Nottingham’s offensive structure.  . 

Nottingham Team News

The only concern on the injury list is John, who underwent surgery on his knee and is hoping to return towards the end of February. 

Crystal Palace Current Form – LLLDL

Since Oliver Glasner walked through the door, Crystal Palace has undergone a dramatic overhaul. He wasted no time stamping his authority, injecting belief, discipline, and a clear identity that rewards bravery. Yet in recent weeks, doubts have emerged surrounding Glasner and the club’s strategy, as the loss of vital players raises questions about how Palace will navigate the challenges ahead.  

That said, coming into this fixture, it seems like the wheels have fallen off as Palace have seen a dip in form and are desperate to regain momentum. Against Newcastle, a poor second-half performance and lack of confidence in front of goal ensured the Magpies were victorious. At home, Palace managed to pick themselves up against Aston Villa and earned a valuable point after a goalless draw.

The Eagles' inconsistent form continued as they were dumped out of the FA Cup by Macclesfield Town, followed by another defeat away to Sunderland, making it back-to-back losses with a one-goal margin. Back at Selhurst Park, the downward spiral continued against Chelsea, and they are now desperate to return to winning ways against Forest.

Key Players To Watch

  • Yeremy Pino: Pino has quickly become a natural fit in Palace’s attacking setup. Dangerous in one-on-one situations, he uses speed and skill to drive into advanced areas, while having the vision and intelligent movement to create scoring chances that make him a constant danger. 
  • Adam Wharton: A rising star in English football, Wharton thrives on influencing matches from deep. His ability to move the ball forward with precision, supported by excellent technique and game intelligence, makes him central to Palace’s build-up and transition play.  
  • Brennan Johnson: Johnson brings pace, urgency, and directness to the attack. Always looking to run beyond defenders, he combines speed with clever movement to exploit space and cause problems in the final third, while his finishing and work rate add value at both ends of the pitch.  

Crystal Palace Team News

Eddie Nketiah continues to battle a muscular issue but is not far from making a strong return to the matchday squad. Daichi Kamada suffered a serious hamstring injury against Manchester City in December and is targeting a return in late February at best. 

Predicted Line-Up

  1. Nottingham: 4-2-3-1
    Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Ndoye, Jesus

  2. Crystal Palace: 3-6-1
    Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Lerma, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell, Devenny, Pino, Sarr, Mateta

Suggested Bets from Xyes.com

With informed insights and tips before kickoff, you can break down both sides, track momentum, and make smarter selections. 

  1. Both Teams To Score (Yes): Past meetings have seen both teams find the net, and this matchup will produce the same. 39/50 (1.78)

  2. Totals (Over 2.5): The significant weight of the three points on offer will see both teams attack for the full duration of this fixture. 26/25 (2.04)

  3. Double Chance (Draw or Crystal Palace): Forest and Palace could cancel each other out, making this a tactical battle or come down to a moment of brilliance to decide the outcome. 7/10 (1.70)

Value Bets from Xyes.com

Step one step ahead with value bets that give you the edge and boost your potential return. 

  1. To Win First Half (Nottingham): Forest will be backed by their home supporters and motivated to go head and control proceedings. 79/50 (2.58)

  2. Highest Scoring Half (Second Half): The game will open up after the break, providing both teams with scoring opportunities. 6/5 (2.20)

  3. Crystal Palace Goal Scorer (Jean-Phillippe Mateta): Despite going through a dry spell, Mateta is a proven goal threat and remains Palace’s primary source for goals. 3/1 (4.00)

Prediction: Draw 

Both sides enter this fixture in a difficult position and in need of points. Forest have the benefit of home advantage but continue to struggle for consistency, while Palace have lost momentum despite possessing the attacking quality to trouble any defence on their day. As a result, this matchup is likely to develop into a tactical chess match, with both teams comfortable earning a point rather than throwing two away in the end. 

Marc Strydom
Marc StrydomSports Writer

Marc Strydom is a dedicated sports lover with a wealth of experience in the sports betting industry, mostly as a Chief Editor of a sports betting publication in South Africa. While Marc’s enthusiasm covers many sports, football and NBA are his favourites. His articles feature on multiple top-rated platforms, covering a wide range of topics.

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