MY ACCOUNT
– Crystal Palace have won three of their last four Premier League home matches
– Nottingham Forest have conceded at least twice in ten of their last 12 away games
– Recommended bet: Crystal Palace to win & over 2.5 goals
Nottingham Forest secured their Premier League status with a memorable victory over Arsenal last week, but for their last game of the season they face a tough trip to Crystal Palace, who have been rejuvenated since the return of Roy Hodgson.
It will have come as a huge relief to Forest that their Premier League spot for next season has been secured before the final day of the campaign.
Their place outside the bottom three is owed to a huge extent by their good form at the City Ground, as they have been poor travellers in their first season back in the top-flight for 24 years.
There was a time when it looked as if Palace could be dragged into trouble as they faltered under Patrick Vieira, but veteran Hodgson has returned to the dugout and given the Eagles a new lease of life.
An exciting attacking team have cemented their position in mid-table and they will be looking to go out on a high after some decent results in recent games at Selhurst Park.
Team news
Palace are set to be without Wilfried Zaha, who is nursing a thigh injury, while Nathan Ferguson, James Tomkins and Luka Milivojevic are also missing.
Forest have had to deal with a host of injuries in the closing weeks of the season and have seen stars such as Neco Williams and Chris Wood having to end their campaigns early.
They will be hoping goalkeeper Keylor Navas will be available after he limped off against Arsenal, but Wayne Hennessey is ready to take his place between the posts if needed.
It would also be no surprise if top goalscorer Brennan Johnson was handed a starting berth after his attacking prowess was sacrificed for the Gunners game.
The stats
Crystal Palace have won three of their last four home league matches, while six of Forest’s last seven away games have featured at least three goals.
Forest have taken just one point from their last eight away games and have conceded at least twice in ten of their last 12 away games.
Both teams have scored in just two of Palace’s last seven games.
Only Manchester City have beaten the Eagles in their last nine home matches.
Prediction
The City Ground became a fortress for Forest upon their return to the Premier League, but their away form has been poor and that makes them vulnerable to a final-day defeat at Palace.
The Tricky Trees have collected just one away win, at relegated Southampton, and, while they lost just two of their final 15 games on the banks of the Trent, seven points from 18 away matches is a poor total.
That does not bode well for a trip to Selhurst Park, where the Eagles have got their act together and made themselves difficult to beat.
Leicester City, West Ham and Bournemouth have all been put away in recent weeks and they should come out on top of this one, even if Forest’s safety suggests Steve Cooper’s side are unlikely to throw caution to the wind.
Back Crystal Palace to win and over 2.5 goals at 7/5 with LiveScore Bet.
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