Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace: Betting Odds & Prediction
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Premier League survival hopefuls Nottingham Forest host struggling Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon.
The two sides played out a 0-0 draw in the reverse fixture earlier this season. Kick-off is set for 3pm UK time at the City Ground.
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Nottingham Forest
Forest sit in 18th following a four-point deduction which saw them fall into the relegation zone with nine games remaining. The hosts have struggled in recent weeks, failing to win in their last five outings in all competitions. Their last victory came in a 2-0 home win versus West Ham in February, while their most recent outing saw them draw 1-1 away at relegation rivals Luton Town.
Forest have struggled in front of goal this season,averaging just 1.21 goals per game so far. This does however increase to 1.36 at home where they've significantly outperformed their expected goal (xG) tally of 1.01. Forest have however failed to score in 21% of their home matches so far.
Their defensive record makes for worse reading; they've already conceded 51 goals this term, with 21 of them coming in home fixtures. This leaves them with an average of 1.5 conceded on home soil, falling in line with an expected goals against (xGA) tally of 1.47.
With just 15 points secured in their 14 home outings so far, Forest are in desperate need of three points if they are to maintain their Premier League status into next season.
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Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner’s side have also disappointed recently, picking up just one win in their past five matches. Palace also come into the game following a 1-1 draw at home to Luton.
Despite their poor winning record, Palace have found the net in each of their last seven outings, scoring a total of eleven goals in that period. They have only averaged one goal per game in away matches this season though, while conceding an average of two.
Their overall away form has been worrying, with them averaging just 0.93 points per game (W3, D4, L7) in 14 matches. Only 14% of those matches have ended with a clean sheet for 'The Eagles', with an average of three total goals in their away outings.
Prediction
Both sides have endured difficult form this season and have struggled to find the back of the net in their 29 games. Forest's home form has been far from convincing, but their added firepower on home soil should be enough to get them over the line against a leaky Palace defence.
The away side have made habit of finding the net in recent weeks though, and will more than play their part in what should be an entertaining fixture in the East Midlands. Forest's home matches have averaged a total of 2.86 goals per game, while Palace's away fixtures have seen an average of exactly three.