Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Prediction, Probable Lineups, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats

An in-form Crystal Palace will host relegation survivors, Nottingham Forest, with both teams looking to end the season strongly.

Roy Hodgson’s revolution is all there to see at Selhurst Park after thoroughly manoeuvring the club from the clutches of danger. With improved results flowing rather freely under the veteran’s guidance, Crystal Palace did secure their safety long ago and will look to finish the campaign in their current 11th spot.

A loss against Nottingham Forest could open the doors for Chelsea or Wolves to usurp their place on the table, something Hodgson will look to avoid. Finishing in the 11th spot will match their best-ever finish to a top-flight season, and they have been unbeaten at Selhurst Park since the veteran manager returned to the helm.

Last weekend’s draw to Fulham was an entertaining affair. Odsonne Edouard’s opener was cancelled by an Aleksandar Mitrovic spot-kick at the stroke of halftime. The forward then gave the Cottagers the lead around the hour mark, but Joel Ward was there to slot in the equalisers in the 83rd minute. Winning against Forest seems imperative for Hodgson’s men as they look to end the season on a high.

Nottingham Forest will come to Selhurst Park buzzing with confidence after their safe passage to stay put in the Premier League. Steve Cooper’s side secured a high-profile victory at home against Arsenal last weekend, which confirmed their top-flight status for next season.

Taiwo Awoniyi’s strike in the 19th minute opened the doors for Forest to lay out a plan and defend their lives against a thorough Arsenal attack. In the end, Cooper’s men held their ground and stood firm to the challenge to get the most important three points of their season.

What the club and the ownership do with the future of Cooper remains the question. However, for now, the manager will focus on finishing the season strongly and possibly look forward to celebrations after. Forest hope they beat Palace away from home, but it will be an entertaining clash.

Team News & Tactics

Crystal Palace

Wilfried Zaha remains the headline absentee for Crystal Palace. While there’s nothing at stake for the Eagles in this clash, the headlines are all about the Ivorian’s future. There’s a decision for the winger to make whether to continue his career here or elsewhere, although fans will hope to see him in action again.

Jeffrey Schlupp was not invited last weekend, which casts doubt over his presence on the last day. In his place, Will Hughes could continue in midfield. Luka Milivojevic and James Tomkins will miss the Nottingham Forest game as they are yet to recover from their problem.

In the attack, Hodgson should continue with Edouard as his centre-forward, with Jordan Ayew and Michael Olise on either side. Star man Eberechi Eze will slot into the midfield setup but will play the most advanced role of the trio behind the Palace front three.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Eze, Doucoure, Hughes; Olise, Edouard, Ayew

Nottingham Forest

From Steve Cooper’s perspective, there’s no need to change the lineup after the Arsenal win. Ideally, he would have done that, but some injuries and the need to play some fringe stars may force the manager to tinker with his team.

Wayne Hennessey will come in for the goal as Cooper’s two key goalkeepers are out. Forest will likely keep their back four intact, as this could be a revert from a different setup against Arsenal.

Brennan Johnson could come into the side and replace Danilo after the midfielder hobbled off against the Gunners. Awoniyi will keep his place in the front of the queue, while Cheikhou Kouyate might come in midfield to pay alongside Ryan Yates and Orel Mangala.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Hennessey; Aurier, Filipe, Niakhate, Lodi; Yates, Mangala, Kouyate; Johnson, Awoniyi, Gibbs-White

Key Stats

• Crystal Palace have now picked up 17 points from a possible 27 in the Premier League under Roy Hodgson.
• Crystal Palace are unbeaten in 4 games on home soil in the Premier League.
• Nottingham Forest are undefeated in 10 of their last 11 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
• Nottingham Forest have picked up 7 points away from home, the fewest in the league this season.
• Nottingham Forest are unbeaten in their last 3 Premier League games.

Player to Watch

Michael Olise

Fresh from being named Crystal Palace Players’ Player of the Season, the winger will look to finish things off on a high note. With only pride on the line, Olise would love to put in a sensational performance at Selhurst Park.

There might be the case that some of the clubs are likely to look at Olise ahead of their summer plans, and it might play on the winger’s mind to an extent. Alternatively, he can show with another solid performance that he can take up the mantle from Zaha if the Ivorian departs.

Prediction

Crystal Palace 2-1 Nottingham Forest

Palace have the home advantage in this dead rubber, as the two teams could play with the handbrake-off. There’s nothing to win or lose here, meaning the managers could ask their players to express themselves thoroughly and provide some full-blown entertainment.

Purely on form and owing to home advantage, Palace may have the upper hand and could nick a slender victory over Forest. They are also the team under more pressure to gain something, which being holding on to their 11th spot on the table.