Crystal Palace are winless in nine meetings with Nottingham Forest, dating back to 2011.
The Eagles' most-recent home win over the Tricky Trees came 22 years ago, they've met in South London eight times since then, with each of the last four producing either 0-0 or 1-1 draws.
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest preview
English football is rich in tradition, history and fierce rivalries, but this could be the start of a new one, with most anticipating a feisty atmosphere at the Court of Arbitration for Sport derby. During the summer, long story short, Crystal Palace were demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League, with Nottingham Forest taking their place, partially because Forest made a complained to UEFA. Thus, those inside Selhurst will be ultra-motivated to roar their team onto victory on Sunday.
On Thursday night, as a result of this, Crystal Palace began their first-ever major European campaign, so a tight turnaround ahead of this one. It wasn't a classic, but Oliver Glasner's team did beat Fredrikstad 1-0 in the first leg of their Conference League play-off, with Jean-Philippe Mateta scoring shortly after the interval. Thus, the Eagles are firm favourites to get the job done and book their place in the league phase in Norway next Thursday.
Overall, Palace remain unbeaten this season, having picked up the FA Community Shield at Wembley at Liverpool's expense, before holding Chelsea to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge last Sunday. So, will the Eagles make home advantage count in their home-league opener here?
As for Nottingham Forest, their supporters are eagerly awaiting Friday's Europa League draw, and their season could hardly have started much better on the pitch. Last weekend, Nuno Espírito Santo's side demolished Brentford 3-1 at the City Ground, all their goals coming in the first half. Last season's top-scorer Chris Wood showed no signs of slowing down, bagging a brace, while new arrival Dan Ndoye marked his debut with a goal on the banks of the River Trent.
The Garibaldi Reds upset all pre-season expectations by finishing seventh last time round. Balancing domestic and continental commitments will be a challenge for Nuno's side, there's no doubt about that, but for now, they're enjoying the luxury of playing one game a week, so Forest therefore remain a strong team. Thus, this hotly-contested fixture in South London is very tough to call.
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 69.
- Crystal Palace Wins: 16. Draws: 23. Nottingham Forest Wins: 30.
Crystal Palace team news
With a week remaining in the transfer window, Oliver Glasner is working with a very thin squad. Eberechi Eze has now been sold to Arsenal, while Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucouré, Daichi Kamada, Matheus França and Eddie Nketiah are all currently injured.
Partially as a result of this, Glasner did go strong against Fredrikstad on Thursday, albeit Chris Richards and Tyrick Mitchell will return, after Jefferson Lerma and Borna Sosa started in defence in the Conference League.
Youngster Justin Devenny, who converted the winning penalty in the Community Shield a fortnight ago, was the man tasked with filling Eze's rather large void in mid-week, so will he keep his place, with January signing Romain Esse the alternative?
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Nottingham Forest: (3-4-3): Henderson; Richards, Guéhi, Lacroix; Muñoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Devenny, Sarr, Mateta.
Crystal Palace player to watch vs Nottingham Forest
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored in both the Community Shield and on Thursday, so will he net against Nottingham Forest for the second time?
Nottingham Forest team news
After Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee were presented to the City Ground faithful last Sunday, will either or perhaps both debut here? Meanwhile, new striker Arnaud Kalimuendo arrived from Rennes on Monday before, on Thursday, the club announced the signing of Douglas Luiz from Juventus, and the Brazilian will be eager to get started, following a miserable year in Turin.
Having said that, after such a dominant victory over Brentford, Nuno Espírito Santo could name an unchanged lineup. In that one, Dan Ndoye marked his debut with a goal, while Ibrahim Sangaré started as Elliot Anderson's midfield partner, with Nicolás Domínguez sidelined due to a knee issue.
Nottingham Forest predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Murillo, Milenković, Williams; Sangaré, Anderson, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood.
Nottingham Forest player to watch vs Crystal Palace
Following his brace on the opening weekend, Chris Wood was named in the PFA Team of the Year on Tuesday, along side Matz Sels becoming Forest's first representatives since Steve Stone in 1995/96.
The New Zealander has previously netted against Palace on six occasions, although his only goal at Selhurst came in the Championship in 2013, so will he fire Forest to victory here?
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest prediction
As alluded to earlier, this clash is so tough to call, so we're sitting on the fence and forecasting a low-scoring, high tension draw at Selhurst on Sunday: Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottingham Forest.
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest FAQs - Premier League
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on TV channel?
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest in the Premier League will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Sky Sports Premier League
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: Fubo Sports Network 2 Canada
How to watch Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on live streaming?
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest in the Premier League will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: SkyGo & NOW TV.
- USA: Peacock
- Canada: fuboTV Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest in the Premier League?
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest takes place on Sunday 24 August 2025, with kick off at 14:00 (BST), 9:00 (EDT) & 6:00 (PDT).