Premier League 26/27 · Round 6 ·
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest preview: Crystal Palace and Nottingham meet with away form the sharper edge
Crystal Palace host Nottingham at Selhurst Park with both sides still searching for a first home win of the season. The visitors carry the clearer attacking and defensive edge, but a thin sample of five matches keeps every read provisional.
By 10xSharp · Published
This preview was published before kickoff. The match has finished: see the result and full stats. Read the match report.
Who is missing
Nottingham's attack loses its joint top scorer, with Igor Jesus unavailable through injury. He has scored 1 goal, 25% of the side's goals in this competition. Crystal Palace are without defender Chadi Riad, also injured. Neither absence removes a leading creator, as Nottingham's Morgan Gibbs-White and Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada remain available.
Players to watch
Crystal Palace's scoring has come from defence, with Tyrick Mitchell leading the side on 2 goals in 5 matches, a 33% share of the team's total. Ben Chilwell and Jorgen Strand Larsen have one each. For Nottingham, Liam Delap and Dan Ndoye share the scoring lead with 1 goal apiece, while Morgan Gibbs-White has 2 assists. With Igor Jesus out, Delap is the leading available scorer.
Recent form
Nottingham arrive in better shape, taking 5 points from their last five league matches to Crystal Palace's 4. The visitors' latest result was a defeat, while Crystal Palace drew their most recent league match. Across all competitions, Crystal Palace have won three of their last six, while Nottingham have won one and drawn two. Crystal Palace have had eight days since their last match, Nottingham nearly twenty-two.
Where they stand
Nottingham sit 13th with 5 points, Crystal Palace 15th with 4. At home, Crystal Palace have lost both matches, scoring 3 and conceding 7. Nottingham are unbeaten away, with a win and a draw from two, scoring 4 and conceding 3. The visitors' away goal difference is positive, while the hosts' home goal difference is negative.
Head to head
Across the last 10 meetings, Crystal Palace have won 0, Nottingham 3, with 7 draws. The average total goals is 1.7, and both teams scored in 60% of those matches. The most recent meeting, in February 2026, ended 1-1. Crystal Palace have not beaten Nottingham in their last five meetings.
Attacking threat
Nottingham hold a large attacking edge. They average 2.0 goals per away match, better than the league average for an away side on the road, while Crystal Palace average 1.5 at home, level with the league average for a home side. Across all venues, Crystal Palace score 1.2 per match and Nottingham 0.8, both below the league average.
Defensive solidity
Nottingham also hold a large defensive edge. They concede 1.5 goals per away match, level with the league average for an away side on the road, while Crystal Palace concede 3.5 at home, worse than the league average for a home side. Across all venues, Nottingham concede 1.0 per match, better than the league average, while Crystal Palace concede 2.2, worse.
Shots and blocks
Crystal Palace average 3.4 shots on target per match to Nottingham's 3.0, a narrow edge. Nottingham see far more of their shots blocked, 4.6 per match to Crystal Palace's 2.2. Crystal Palace also average more shots off target, 4.6 to 6.0 for Nottingham.
When goals arrive
Crystal Palace are most dangerous in the 46-60 minute window, scoring 33% of their goals there. Nottingham are equally vulnerable in the 46-60 and 76-90 windows, conceding 40% of their goals in each. Crystal Palace concede most in the 31-45 and 46-60 windows, 27% in each.
Goal environment
Crystal Palace's home matches have been high-scoring, with 100% going over 2.5 goals at Selhurst Park. Nottingham's away matches have also seen 100% over 2.5. Across all venues, Crystal Palace's matches go over 2.5 in 60% of cases, Nottingham's in 40%. Crystal Palace have failed to score in 40% of matches, Nottingham in 60%.
What to expect
Nottingham's away record and defensive solidity make them the more reliable side, but Crystal Palace's home matches have produced goals. The visitors' second-half vulnerability and Crystal Palace's second-half scoring suggest the match could open up late. With both teams winless at home this season, a draw is a plausible outcome, though the market prices Nottingham as the narrow favourite.