Two familiar foes from April’s FA Cup semi-finals face off again—this time at Selhurst Park, as Crystal Palace host Nottingham Forest in a crucial Monday night Premier League battle. Though they both made it to Wembley, their domestic seasons have followed different scripts. Palace are coasting in mid-table, while Forest are fighting tooth and nail to stay in the top-five mix.
Palace Riding FA Cup High, But League Form Flat
Crystal Palace are buzzing after a stunning 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the FA Cup semis. That win has sent them to their first FA Cup final since 2016, giving fans something to celebrate. However, there’s not much more to play for in the Premier League. The Eagles sit mid-table, with only an outside shot at sneaking into the top ten.
But here’s the catch—Palace rarely beat Forest. They’ve only managed one win in their last 14 league meetings (D6, L7), and they haven’t taken maximum points from any of their previous three H2Hs at Selhurst Park. Add two consecutive league draws, and Roy Hodgson’s men might have to settle for another stalemate.
Forest’s Top-Five Ambitions on the Line
For Nottingham Forest, this match carries weight. A poor 2-0 loss to Brentford in midweek means they’ve dropped out of the top five for the first time since matchday 15. Their recent form is concerning, with four defeats in their last five matches (W1), including a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final.
Still, their away form offers hope. Forest has collected nine away wins this season, second only to Liverpool. A tenth away victory could be historic; in the three other seasons where they reached double digits on the road, Forest always finished in the top five.
Key Players to Watch
- Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace): Fresh from scoring twice at Wembley, he loves a big-game performance—9 of his last 10 goals have come against top-half teams.
- Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest): He’s chasing club history with nine away goals. No Forest player scored 10+ away Premier League goals in one season.
Stat Attack
- Palace’s Monday Misery: The Eagles have won just 3 of their last 24 Premier League matches played on a Monday (D9, L12).
- Draw Specialists? The last three league clashes at Selhurst Park between these two ended in draws.
Prediction: Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest
Both sides have reasons to push, but history and current form point to a stalemate. Palace struggles on Mondays, and Forest is under pressure. Expect a cautious, tactical battle—one that ends in shared spoils.
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