Nottingham Forest face Palace in a relegation-threatened Premier League clash with both sides desperate for three points to pull away from the relegation zone. The Tricky Trees and Palace have been plagued by poor finishing throughout this campaign despite creating opportunities, and this fixture looks set to be a cagey, high-stakes affair. Kick-off is set for 2pm on Sunday 1st February 2026 at the City Ground, with both teams aiming to break free from their recent run of draws in this head-to-head.
| Match Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | Premier League |
| Matchday | 24 |
| Date | Sunday 1 February 2026 |
| Kick-off Time | 14:00 |
| Venue | City Ground |
| Broadcast | Sky Sports |
| Market | Prediction | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Full-Time Result | Draw | ★★★★☆ |
| Correct Score | 1-1 | ★★★★☆ |
| Both Teams to Score | Yes | ★★★☆☆ |
| Over/Under 2.5 Goals | Under 2.5 | ★★★☆☆ |
Odds: 13/5 with BetMGM
Value Rating: ★★★★☆
Analysis: Five of the last seven meetings between the Tricky Trees and Palace have ended in draws, including their most recent fixture at Selhurst Park. Both teams have struggled to convert their chances this season, reflected in their combined 47 goals from a striking 65.26 xG, and neither side boasts a truly clinical forward line. Palace are notably underperforming their xG by a huge margin (24 goals from 36.78 xG), while Forest also fall short of their expected goals tally. With both sides defensively fragile but lacking cutting edge, the draw offers value at 13/5.
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Odds: 2/1 with Betfair
Value Rating: ★★★★☆
Analysis: Palace have drawn a high number of fouls this season, and the Tricky Trees’ discipline has been a concern, with 35 yellow cards in 23 matches. In tight, nervy games at the bottom half of the table, bookings tend to rise. Forest’s combative midfield, facing Palace’s direct runners, could easily see the hosts rack up four or more cards, especially if the game becomes scrappy after the break. At 2/1, this market is an appealing value angle.
Neither side enters this fixture with much momentum. Forest have claimed just seven wins from 23 league matches, losing 12 and drawing four. Their attack has underwhelmed, averaging exactly one goal per game (23 in 23), while the defence has conceded 34—just under 1.5 per match.
Palace, meanwhile, sit a few points ahead, thanks largely to a more robust defence (28 conceded, eight clean sheets) but have struggled even more in the final third, scoring 24 from a league-worst underperformance against their xG (36.78).
Palace’s last six matches include a win, three draws, and two defeats—a pattern that mirrors their season as a whole. The Tricky Trees, for their part, have lost three of their last five and conceded at least once in all but one of those games.
Forest, under Sean Dyche, favour a possession-based 4-2-3-1. They post a higher-than-league-average pass accuracy (82.65%) and almost 49% possession, aiming to build patiently from the back. However, this approach has not translated into efficiency in front of goal, with only 23 scored from 28.48 xG.
Palace, on the other hand, are more direct, often lining up in a 3-4-3 or 3-4-2-1. They have less of the ball (43% average possession) and lower pass accuracy (77.09%), but create a similar volume of chances—again, conversion is the issue.
Expect the Tricky Trees to try to control midfield and force Palace deeper, while Palace will look to break quickly, using their pace and width to exploit openings. Both teams’ defensive records suggest there will be chances at both ends, but finishing quality remains the big question mark.
| Statistic | Nottingham Forest | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|---|
| League Position | 17th | 15th |
| Goals Scored | 23 | 24 |
| Goals Conceded | 34 | 28 |
| Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 24/08/2025 | Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 05/05/2025 | Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
| 21/10/2024 | Nottingham Forest 1-0 Crystal Palace | Premier League |
| 30/03/2024 | Nottingham Forest 1-1 Crystal Palace | Premier League |
| 07/10/2023 | Crystal Palace 0-0 Nottingham Forest | Premier League |
The Tricky Trees’ attacking midfielder is central to their creativity, leading the team in key passes and chance creation. Gibbs-White’s technical ability and vision are reflected in Forest’s 195 key passes this season—one of the best returns among sides in the bottom half. While he has yet to break into the league’s top-three for assists, his influence is clear: Forest’s xA (expected assists) stands at 20.0, with Gibbs-White often the primary architect. Look for him to dictate play in the final third and be at the heart of any Forest breakthrough.
Q: Who is the favourite to win the Nottingham Forest vs. Crystal Palace match?
A: The bookmakers make Forest slight favourites at the City Ground, but the odds are close and a draw is a strong runner given both sides’ lack of cutting edge and the recent H2H record.
Q: What are the best betting odds for this match?
A: The standout value selections are the Draw in the Match Result market, 1-1 in the Correct Score market, and Over 3.5 Forest cards as a player prop angle.
Q: Where can I watch the Nottingham Forest vs. Crystal Palace match?
A: The match will be broadcast on Sky Sports in the UK.
This is a fixture between two teams short on confidence and goals, but with everything to play for in the lower reaches of the Premier League. The stats point towards a tight, low-scoring contest, with Palace’s extreme underperformance in front of goal and Forest’s defensive issues making a draw—possibly 1-1—the most likely outcome. Backing cards for Forest appeals given the likely tension, and Morgan Gibbs-White’s creativity could be decisive if there is to be a winner.
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