As the Premier League season nears its climax, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest go head-to-head on Monday night in a fixture that holds contrasting significance for each club.
For Nottingham Forest, the pressure is on. A stuttering run of form, three losses in their last four league matches, has put their Champions League aspirations at risk. Their most recent defeat, a 2-0 loss to Brentford, underlined the urgency to bounce back. With remaining games against Leicester, West Ham, and Chelsea, Forest must make the most of every opportunity, starting with this trip to South London.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, are riding high after a historic win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi-final. That 3-0 victory secured them a rare spot in the final, offering a chance to lift their first major trophy. Although their league form has dipped recently, with no wins in their last four, fans are more focused on the looming cup final than the mid-table finish.
Palace sit 12th in the table and have consistently finished between 10th and 15th since their promotion in 2013. Monday’s fixture, along with an upcoming clash with Tottenham, serves more as a dress rehearsal for Wembley than a push for league points.
Nottingham Forest, currently sixth, know a win is essential to stay in the race for European football. Their performance will depend on how they recover from recent setbacks, both physically and mentally.
Head-to-Head at a Glance:
- Total Meetings: 68
- Crystal Palace Wins: 16
- Nottingham Forest Wins: 30
- Draws: 22
Team Updates:
Crystal Palace:
With a week of rest, manager Oliver Glasner may stick with the same starting eleven that defeated Aston Villa. Midfield remains a question mark, as Daichi Kamada could continue to start over Jefferson Lerma. Key absences include Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucouré.
Predicted XI:
Henderson; Richards, Guéhi, Lacroix; Muñoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Player to Watch:
Jean-Philippe Mateta has netted 17 goals this season and will look to add to that tally, especially after missing a penalty at Wembley.
Nottingham Forest:
Ola Aina returned to defense last week, and Nicolás Domínguez might replace Ryan Yates in midfield. Callum Hudson-Odoi’s status remains uncertain after being subbed off early against Brentford.
Predicted XI:
Sels; Aina, Milenković, Murillo, Williams; Anderson, Domínguez; Elanga, Gibbs-White, Jota Silva; Wood
Player to Watch:
Chris Wood continues to shine, scoring 19 Premier League goals this season and maintaining a strong track record against Palace.
Match Prediction:
With Palace focused on their FA Cup final and Forest desperate for points, expect a competitive contest. A 1-1 draw seems the most likely outcome, though either side could edge it.
