Match
Overview & Context
Date & Time: Sunday, August 24, 2025
Venue: Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace’s home ground in South London.
This fixture is more than just a
regular-season game—it’s a high-stakes battle laced with tension. The animosity
stems from a summer-long legal dispute: Nottingham Forest lodged concerns with
UEFA over Crystal Palace’s co-owner John Textor holding a majority stake at
Lyon, leading to Palace’s demotion from the Europa League to the Conference
League after losing an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. This
fallout has amplified fan hostilities, with chants and resentment expected at
Selhurst Park despite calls for calm from Palace manager Oliver Glasner.
Team
News & Dynamics
Crystal
Palace
- Departures & Injuries: Eberechi Eze has completed his £67.5 million move to
Arsenal and won’t feature here. Other absentees include Chadi Riad, Cheick
Doucouré, Matheus Franca, Caleb Kporha, and Eddie Nketiah; Daichi Kamada
has returned to training but is unlikely to play.
- Squad Challenges:
With defensive depth stretched—Marc Guehi is the only fit senior
centre-back and subject to transfer speculation—Glasner’s options are thin.
- Predicted Line-Up (3-4-2-1):
- Goalkeeper:
Henderson
- Defenders:
Richards, Lacroix, Guehi
- Midfielders:
Muñoz, Hughes, Wharton, Mitchell
- Attacking Midfielders: Sarr, Devenny
- Striker:
Mateta
- Bench:
Benítez, Clyne, Sosa, Lerma, Rak-Sakyi, Esse, Edouard.
Nottingham
Forest
- Managerial Pressure:
Nuno Espírito Santo’s position remains under scrutiny due to public
tensions with owner Evangelos Marinakis and questions over the club’s
transfer strategy—but he is still expected to take charge here.
- Momentum & Form:
Forest are coming off a strong 2024–25 season that saw them qualify for
European competition for the first time in nearly 30 years; they finished
7th in the league, largely thanks to the goals of Chris Wood and tactical
stability under Nuno.
- Star Player:
Chris Wood remains a major threat; he was Forest’s top scorer with 20
league goals and continues to lead their attack this season.
Head-to-Head
Record & Recent History
The rivalry tilts in Forest’s favor
historically:
- Since 2003:
Palace have won 3, Forest 8, and there have been 7 draws.
- Over 26 career meetings: Palace 4 wins, Forest 13, 9 draws; average goals per
match ~2.35.
- Seasonal performance:
In the recent 16 encounters, Palace won twice, Forest seven times, and
seven were draws; over-1.5 goals occurred in 75%, BTTS in 44%.
- Current form:
Forest haven’t lost any of their last 10 against Palace (4 wins, 6 draws).
- Last meeting (May 2025): A tense 1–1 draw at Selhurst, with Eze scoring for
Palace and Forest equalizing through a deflected effort.
Tactical
Preview & Possible Line-Up Narrative
Crystal
Palace
With key players out and with
minimal reinforcements in the window, expectation points towards a disciplined,
compact shape. The predicted 3-4-2-1 gives solidity in the backline and relies
on Mateta up front, supported by Sarr and Devenny. Wharton and Hughes will be
crucial in controlling central midfield, while Guehi marshals the defense under
increasing transfer speculation.
Nottingham
Forest
Forest will likely field a settled
XI, relying on Wood’s finishing and a structured midfield. Nuno’s side tends to
be well-organized and counter-attacking, exploiting the gaps in Palace’s
limited squad.
Key
Storylines to Watch
- Fan Atmosphere & Tensions: The off-field conflict adds spice—expect elevated
hostility and emotional edge from Palace fans.
- Defensive Concerns for Palace: With Guehi potentially leaving, his performance will
be under pressure, while Palace’s defensive depth is severely tested.
- Forest’s Reaction to Instability: Will Forest thrive amid uncertainty surrounding Nuno,
or will it unsettle them?
- Top Scorer in Focus – Chris Wood: The striker’s sharp finishing could be decisive in
breaking the deadlock.
- Palace's Resolve Without Eze: Losing Eze hurts creative spark—Sarr and Devenny have
big roles to fill.
Broadcasting
& Live Stream Info
- UK Viewing:
Likely available on Sky Sports or TNT Sports (typical for Premier League,
though not explicitly confirmed).
- US Viewing:
Available on Peacock Premium; kickoff at 9:00 AM ET (approx. 13:00 UTC)
- Global Streaming:
Platforms such as Fubo in North America are carrying the match.