Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest: Expect Tight Affair

Will Chace
By , Updated on: Dec 19, 2023 07:00 PM
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest: Expect Tight Affair

Crystal Palace FC host Nottingham Forest in just the 3rd edition of the fixture this weekend. The Eagles will be full of confidence after a shocking 1-0 victory at Old Trafford. But has this led to an overreaction in the betting market? Nottingham Forest have looked great this season, and may actually be even better. Read on for a breakdown, betting preview and Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest prediction.

  • What: Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest, English Premier League
  • When: October 7, 2023
  • Time: 12:30 PM EST
  • Where: Selhurst Park Stadium, London, England
  • TV: Peacock

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest: Who Do Sportsbooks Favor?

Crystal Palace FC sits two spots above Nottingham Forest in the table currently, so in a home match they should be favored here. And the sportsbook agrees, with odds of (+105) in the 1X2 3-way moneyline market. 

A punt on the Trees would pay out a market-best (+285) on highly-rated online sportsbook BetOnline. A draw is actually more expected than a Nottingham Forest road victory at (+250), with an implied probability of 28.6%. To better understand the 3-way moneyline (1X2) market, see our tips for soccer betting.

EPLBetOnlineXbetBovada
Crystal Palace+105+103+105
Nottingham Forest+285+270+265
Draw+249+248+250

Crystal Palace FC Fresh Off Huge Win at Old Trafford

Despite morale potentially at its lowest, and entering into one of the most formidable stadiums in the world, Crystal Palace beat Manchester United last week. The victory made history for Roy Hodgson, who became the first visiting manager to hold an unbeaten streak of 5 games at Old Trafford.

The Eagles had endured a 3-0 beating at the hands of Man UTD in the League Cup just a few days prior. Additionally, the club failed to secure the maximum haul at home against Fulham and lost to Aston Villa. This surprising upset could pay massive dividends down the road for a club that may have been losing hope early in the campaign. The club will now be able to look back on the matchup and believe similar results are possible against the league’s top competition.

Nottingham Forest Hope to Continue Dream Run

Nottingham Forest have exceeded expectations already this season. Last season was difficult for the Tricky Trees to say the least. The club was in its first season in the Premier League since 1999. 

Nottingham Forest seemed out of place at the top level since the start, but managed to avoid relegation. And thanks to a raucous crowd, the club has now looked incredible at home over the past year, losing only two of their previous 17 games at the City Ground.

So far in the 2023-24 campaign, the Trees have losses only to the two Manchester clubs and Arsenal, all on the road. Wins over Sheffield and Chelsea have helped boost their standing to 11th in the League. A victory over Crystal Palace could put them into the top 10 for the first time since they were led by Frank Clark in the mid 1990s.

Latest Roster News for Crystal Palace FC and Nottingham Forest

Forest Manager Steve Cooper is currently in the process of finding his optimal starting lineup amidst a wave of new signings. Notable players such as Ibrahim Sangare, Anthony Elanga, Nicolas Dominguez, Divock Origi, and Hudson-Odoi have joined the ranks at the City Ground during the summer transfer window.

On the other hand, Eagles Odsonne Edouard (hamstring), Michael Olise (thigh), Matheus Franca (back), Jefferson Lerma (hamstring), and James Tomkins (calf) are all nursing injuries and are likely to miss the match on Saturday.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest Prediction and How to Bet Match

While Crystal Palace have a great home record and are coming off a huge win, I can’t help but think they are set up for a letdown here. An adrenaline dump of sorts could result in a clumsy performance against Nottingham Forest, who they could easily overlook. While many believe it is only a matter of time before Nottingham Forest are relegated, they are playing pretty well this season.

Line movement has already gone in Nottingham Forest’s direction. This indicates sharp bettors took early action fading Crystal Palace. A low total, most likely due to each team’s grinding play style, will also play into a close affair. I think the Tricky Trees are the side in this matchup, but how do we play them?

I think in such a cagey defensive battle, a draw should be a part of your ticket. Therefore, I will forgo the juicier moneyline price and advocate for a play on the asian handicap. At Nottingham Forest +0.5 (-121), a Trees win or draw cashes your bet.

Nottingham Forest +0.5 vs Crystal Palace
-121
Xbet

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Meet the author

Will Chace

From Boston, Will's passion for sports is more of a hereditary characteristic than a learned hobby. Besides rooting for his hometown teams, he follows MMA heavily and will consume just about any sports-related content. In college, Will combined his passion for sports an...

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