Crystal Palace @ Nottingham Forest - October 21, 2024

As a seasoned bettor, I can’t help but get excited for the clash between Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace on Monday. This match is alive with the potential of trading blows for bragging rights, but let’s get real – one side is favored to come out on top, and I see Nottingham Forest taking this one.

Looking at the numbers, Nottingham Forest has scored an average of 1 goal per game this season on about 12.6 attempts with 5.1 of those being on target. The home side finds itself sitting in 12th place in the Premier League and, despite being a bit shaky overall (2 wins, 4 draws, and a loss), they just held Chelsea to a gritty 1-1 draw. They’re a resilient bunch, and their home ground will add a significant edge to their confidence.

On the other hand, let’s turn our eyes to the hapless Crystal Palace. With a shocking record of 0-3-4 and stuck in the 18th position, they know they’re desperate for any points at this stage. Their average of 0.7 goals per game alongside about 13 shots (with only 3.9 hitting the target) is troubling. Their last outing resulted in a lifeless 1-0 defeat against Liverpool, which has to weigh heavy on their psyche. If they thought that was a challenge, I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes facing a Nottingham Forest team that plays with heart at home.

The odds open with Nottingham Forest at 135, Crystal Palace at 175, and the draw sitting at a tempting 260. However, if you ask me, there’s no value here in betting on Palace. Their struggles to find the back of the net plague them, and their weaker form is hard to overlook. Nottingham Forest is the play, and I expect them to capitalize on their home advantage and send the Palace supporters home disheartened once again.

With Nottingham’s whopping 73.1% passing accuracy and a commitment to controlling the game, they’ll certainly look to dictate the tempo from the get-go. Their ability to draw fouls could allow them to disrupt Palace’s attempts to find any rhythm. Palace might commit around 10.4 fouls per game, but their lack of finishing prowess is something that will likely come back to haunt them.

Now, about the total goals – I’m feeling a low-scoring affair here. Both teams have struggled to find consistent goal-scoring form. When combined, they’re averaging just around 1.7 goals per match. I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re looking at another under performance, likely finishing 1-0 or even potentially 2-0 in favor of Nottingham.

Remember, I have my rituals before placing any bet – a lucky coin flip and my favorite hoodie before the game. I’ll be riding Nottingham Forest to win while putting money on the under as well. Let’s see if we can stack up another win and make some waves in this tight betting world. Cheers!