Eze has really found some form in recent weeks after what has been quite an underwhelming season in regards to his goalscoring output. He’s only scored four goals in the Premier League this season but two of these have come in his last five Premier League games, against Manchester City and Arsenal. 

Eze followed up these performances with a wonderful finish against Aston Villa in the FA Cup and can carry that impressive form into this Monday night game. Eze has had 25 shots on target across his 30 Premier League appearances for Palace this season (0.96 per 90).

Eze’s xG (8.19) suggests that he hasn’t been the most clinical in front of goal this term seeing as this xG has only returned four league goals. However, Eze’s recent upturn in form in front of goal indicates that he can find the target against Forest here. Eze had six shots with two of these attempts finding the target in the initial meeting between the sides at the City Ground. 

Mateta’s strength and physicality can sometimes go against him in aerial and ground duels against opposition centre backs with the referee tending to give the benefit of the doubt to the defender in those situations, especially ones which result in Mateta having a clear run to goal.

We saw this in the FA Cup semi final where Mateta’s opener was ruled out after he allegedly fouled Konsa to get to the ball but on second viewing, it was a very harsh decision and not the first that has gone against Mateta simply because he is stronger than the opposition defenders.

Mateta is averaging 0.99 fouls committed per 90 in the Premier League this season. He should contest plenty of duels up against Nikola Milenkovic and Murillo, both who have the physical capacity to deal with Mateta and can draw fouls from the French striker when Palace look to go direct to their frontman.

Dean Henderson was forced into making five saves in the initial meeting between these sides at the City Ground. Forest ended up having 20 shots in that game, a total that was matched by Palace in the end.

Henderson is having to make 2.82 saves per game in the Premier League this season and has stepped up for Palace at crucial points in the season, notably in Palace’s FA Cup semi final victory over Aston Villa in which he was called into action four times.

Forest have to start going for it now with only three games left of the campaign after this game. This should see Nuno’s side play a little more proactively than we’ve seen them for large parts of the season seeing as they’ve already handed the initiative to the teams around them with their recent inconsistent form.

Forest ran out 1-0 winners in the initial meeting between the sides at the City Ground and they can replicate that result here despite the poor run of form they currently find themselves in.

Forest have one of the strongest away records in the Premier League this season. They’ve avoided defeat in 11 of their 17 trips away from the City Ground this term which stands them in good stead for their trip to Selhurst Park here.

Surprisingly, Palace have only won five of their 17 games at Selhurst Park this season so it hasn’t exactly been a fortress this term despite being usually quite a difficult ground to visit. Forest have more to fight for here, a loss would really be disastrous in their hunt to secure Champions League football next season. 

Ismaila Sarr has been an important component in Palace’s 3-4-3 system. His speed and directness offer something a bit different in Glasner’s attacking line with Eze dropping between the lines and Mateta acting as a target man. Sarr and Munoz on the right hand side for Palace really compliment each other and are the focus for many of Palace’s attacks.

Sarr has registered 11 goal contributions across his 34 Premier League appearances this season - only Eze and Mateta have registered more goal contributions in the top flight this season.

Sarr enters this game having had a hand in each of Palace’s three goals against Aston Villa in the FA Cup semi final, scoring twice and assisting Eze for the opener as well. Sarr can build on that performance to punish a Nottingham Forest side that have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last five games across all competitions.

Palace committed 12 fouls in the initial meeting between the sides at the City Ground. Oliver Glasner’s side are averaging 11.0 fouls committed per game in the Premier League this season so we’re looking for the Eagles to come in line with their average foul performance here.

The midfield battle here should be a site for plenty of fouls. Palace play with two players in the middle of the park which can be a bit risky, especially against a side that likes to play with three if not four bodies in those central areas. This could lead to Palace being overrun in the middle of the park and increase their foul count.

Dominguez is one of the most aggressive players in the Premier League. He’s committed 29 fouls across his 19 starts in the Premier League this season (1.56 per 90).

Dominguez committed three fouls and was shown a yellow card in the initial meeting between the sides. He’ll be up against Eberechi Eze who has won 46 fouls across his 30 Premier League appearances this season (1.76 per 90).

The initial meeting between the sides only produced one goal despite there being 40 shots in the game, 13 of which found the target. The cumulative xG from that game was 2.73 which is quite a modest total from so many efforts in the game.

Forest have seen under 3.5 goals in each of their last five games across all competitions. Palace have seen under this line in just two of their last five games across all competitions but have generally seen quite a low goal count in games at Selhurst Park this season.

Palace have seen 42 goals across their 17 games at Selhurst Park this season (2.47 per game). Only Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth have seen fewer goals at home than Crystal Palace this season.