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Matchday two from the 2025/26 English Premier League season is played across the weekend, with games on Friday through to Monday evening. Flashscore's betting team previews the standout fixtures, and you can read predictions in the Flashscore News tab. On this page, we focus on the game at Selhurst Park, London, where a confident Crystal Palace hosts an improving Nottingham Forest. Which side will collect three points?
The locals enter in high spirits after winning the Community Shield earlier this month. The Eagles swooped on silverware, beating Premier League champions Liverpool on penalties following a gripping four-goal draw. Opponents Nottingham Forest performed above expectations last season, and fans want the Tricky Trees to build on that effort. A win in London would help boost their chances.
Do you expect Crystal Palace to make home advantage count and move onto four points with a win? Perhaps you prefer the chances of Nottingham Forest, who opened with a strong victory at the City Ground. Keep reading as Flashscore's football betting writer Frank Monkhouse previews Palace v Forest, highlighting the best odds and offering his top predictions.
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest tips
Both teams to score @ 4/5 (bet365)
Match result - draw @ 23/10 (bet365)
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
Palace love an upset
Crystal Palace is a team that loves to upset the odds and force a shock result. The Londoners won the FA Cup at the end of last season, meaning they warmed up for the new campaign with a glamour tie against Liverpool in the Community Shield. The EPL champions were red-hot favourites in the pre-match betting to defeat the FA Cup holders, but the clash at Wembley didn't go according to plan. Crystal Palace treated their supporters to another memorable day at the National Stadium, drawing 2-2 before winning 3-2 from the spot.
Winning the season's first piece of silverware provided the perfect warm-up for a London derby at Stamford Bridge on matchday one. Again, Palace kicked off as supposed no-hopers with all major online bookmakers, and again they silenced their doubters with a strong challenge. After drawing with the Premier League champions, Crystal Palace then finished level with the current Club World Cup champions. Oliver Glasner's men left the Bridge with a share of the spoils thanks to a hard-fought goalless draw. Will they go one better here?
Despite failing to find the net with a goal that would turn one point into three, Palace came mightily close to winning but had a goal disallowed by VAR following an interesting free kick at the edge of the box. After scoring and conceding two against Liverpool and drawing 1-1 when last hosting Forest, we play both teams to score.
Tip: Both teams to score @ 4/5 (bet366)
Bet explanation: If Palace and Forest both score, your bet wins.
Wood to build on his brace
Nottingham Forest boasts an ambitious squad with a fair share of young and exciting talent. But it's the experienced players who continue to lead by example. Striker Chris Wood is a fans' favourite, with the 33-year-old from Auckland, New Zealand, bagging more than 35 goals in 75 appearances for the Tricky Trees. He's a reliable number 11 with a proven track record of scoring important goals to win competitive games. The visiting support would love to see Wood add to his tally with another match-winner in London.
Wood was instrumental in his side's opening day win over Brentford at the City Ground. Forest blasted their way to an impressive 3-1 victory in a match they wrapped up in the opening half and enjoyed a 3-0 lead until near the end when conceding a late penalty scored by Igor Thiago. The coaching staff would've preferred a clean sheet to top off a marvellous day, but they understand points are more important than performances at this stage.
Nottingham Forest marksman Wood scored 20 goals last season and took less than five minutes to get off the mark this term. He nudged home in a crowded box following a corner and made it two when he went around the keeper to claim his second of the afternoon in first-half stoppage time. You may remember that the Kiwi was also on target against the likes of Tottenham, Man Utd, and Crystal Palace last season.
Tip: Wood to score anytime @ 9/4 (bet365)
Bet explanation: If Chris Wood scores at Selhurst Park, you get the profits.
Palace and Forest to share
Our third and final bet at Selhurst Park has us taking up a position on the fence and backing the draw. Crystal Palace opened with a draw at Stamford Bridge, and although they didn't see too much of the ball in that match, they defended well and deserved a share. Fans will want to see them improve slightly to win at home, but EPL followers know nothing comes cheaply against Nottingham Forest. The visitors arrive eager to spoil the party.
Considering Palace drew last weekend and the head-to-head stats show these teams were level in four of their previous five meetings, we made a confident prediction on another share. The most recent game involving Palace and Forest ended 1-1 here earlier this year. Going back further, the last five results read 1-1, 1-0 Forest, 1-1, 0-0, 1-1. That pattern might convince me to play for a 1-1 correct score, but it's still very early in the season. I'm happy to accept favourable odds on a bet with a great chance of winning.
When following my pick and placing your stake on the draw, the final score and who scores the goals becomes irrelevant. As long as the teams are level at the full-time whistle, you'll collect the profits from a wager at 23/10. The odds suggest we'll need a rub of the green to get this bet home and hosed as a winner, but the stats show we're looking in the right places.
Bet explanation: If the game ends in a draw, you win the bet.
Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest odds
Crystal Palace win @ 6/5 (bet365)
Nottingham Forest @ 9/4 (bet365)
The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.