On Friday 2 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 form suggests a compelling case for backing the Eagles on a -0.5 handicap. While Palace has stumbled lately, with only one win in their last five home matches, their underlying metrics paint a more nuanced picture. Despite averaging just 1.2 goals at home, they've faced tough opposition, reflected in an opponent scoring average of 2.2. On the flip side, Nottingham's away form has been shaky, with a mere 0.8 goals scored in their last five away games. Their leaky defense has allowed 1.4 goals, while Palace’s solid defensive tactics could exploit this weakness. Moreover, a head-to-head record that shows Palace historically struggles against Forest doesn’t overshadow their home advantage. With the home crowd behind them, Palace should edge this one, making the -0.5 line a prudent wager for a narrow victory.

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

Odds available at DraftKings at time of publishing

As Crystal Palace prepares to host Nottingham Forest, the signs point towards a tightly contested affair that could easily end in a stalemate. Palace has struggled at home lately, managing just one win in their last five, and their recent form shows they’re averaging only 1.2 goals scored while conceding 2.2 at Selhurst Park. Meanwhile, Forest, despite their recent away form improvement, has also been inconsistent, netting just 0.8 goals in their last five matches overall. Both teams have exhibited a concerning lack of attacking prowess, reflected in their low expected goals (xG) averages. With Palace's poor home record against Forest—having not won any of their last five meetings—it's hard to overlook the potential for a draw at this stage. Given the trends and their previous encounters, opting for a draw seems like a savvy move.

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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