On Thursday 1 October 2026, Crystal Palace play Nottingham Forest in the EPL. Our model likes 2 bets here. The one it likes most is Crystal Palace +0.5 Goal Handicap, priced at -222 when we wrote this. Here is the thinking behind each pick, in plain English.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest: Crystal Palace +0.5 Goal Handicap (-222)

Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing

As Crystal Palace prepares to host Nottingham Forest, recent trends paint a telling picture. Palace has struggled at home lately, with a disappointing record of just one win in their last five matches. However, they often find themselves in tightly contested games, averaging only 1.2 goals scored per match while conceding 2.2. Conversely, Nottingham Forest’s away form is slightly better, yet they've managed just one win in their last five against Palace. Digging deeper into the xG metrics reveals Palace has been creating chances, averaging 10.6 shots per game, which bodes well for a potential breakthrough. With Forest averaging only 0.8 goals in their last five away games, it’s evident they’ve struggled on the road. Given these dynamics, a bet on Crystal Palace to cover the -0.5 handicap feels promising, especially as history shows they tend to edge these encounters at home.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest: Draw Moneyline (+235)

Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing

As Crystal Palace faces Nottingham Forest, the stage is set for a tightly contested affair. Both teams have been struggling to find their footing lately; Palace's home record shows a dismal 1-1-3 in their last five, while Forest’s away form is only slightly better at 1-2-2. When we dig into the numbers, Palace averages a mere 1.2 goals per game at home, coupled with a concerning 2.2 goals conceded. Meanwhile, Forest's recent away scoring average of just 0.8 means they’re hardly a threat. The lack of goal-scoring prowess on both sides, highlighted by their xG stats, suggests a stalemate is likely. Given that neither team has managed to dominate in their past encounters—Palace is 0-4-1 versus Forest in their last five—betting on a draw feels like the best play here. Expect a gritty battle with few clear-cut chances, leading to a share of the spoils.

That is how our model reads Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest. Prices move, so check the price at your bookmaker before you back anything. And if a game does not feel right to you, the strongest move is to skip it -- there is another one tomorrow.

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