Selhurst Park prepares for its first Premier League match of the season as Crystal Palace welcome Nottingham Forest on Sunday, August 24.
The game comes with added tension off the pitch as Palace fans remain angered by their club’s exclusion from the UEFA Europa League, which saw Forest take their place in the competition.
Forest were reported to have played a role in the case, which has led to a planned protest, though the fixture itself remains the main focus for the two managers.
For Oliver Glasner, this match is another early test of squad depth and adaptability after a stalemate at Stamford Bridge. His plans continue to be shaped by transfer speculation around Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi: Eze missed the Conference League playoff first leg against Fredrikstad on Thursday before signing for Arsenal, while Guehi remains a reported target for top sides.
Injuries also weigh heavily with several key players doubtful and unavailable. Palace’s ability to create pressure from set pieces and maintain composure in midfield may be crucial, given the limited rotation options.
Forest, meanwhile, arrive with a clearer picture of their attacking structure after a 3-1 win against Brentford. Nuno Espirito Santo has built around Morgan Gibbs-White’s creativity, with new arrival Dan Ndoye adding width and pace.
However, their preparations have been overshadowed by speculation that Nuno’s job could be under threat due to disagreements with the club’s hierarchy.
MORE: Arsenal closing in on deal for Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze
Crystal Palace vs. Nottingham Forest lineups: Starting XI, team news
Guehi starts today’s game, despite the uncertainty over his future. In fact, the only change from last week’s draw at Stamford Bridge sees Justin Devenny come in for Eberechi Eze, who completed his move to Arsenal yesterday.
Palace are still without Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure, who are both long-term absentees following knee injuries and are not expected back until late autumn.
Eddie Nketiah is still sidelined with a thigh problem that will keep him out until mid-October, while Matheus Franca is recovering from an adductor issue and will not feature this weekend. Caleb Kporha also remains unavailable with a back injury and has no return date set.
Will Hughes keeps his place in midfielder due to Daichi Kamada‘s injury.
Crystal Palace starting XI (3-4-2-1, right to left): Henderson (GK) — Richards, Lacroix, Guehi — Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell — Sarr, Devenny — Mateta
Crystal Palace subs: Matthews, Benitez, Lerma, Clyne, Esse, Edouard, Sosa, Rodney, Cardines
Injured: Riad (knee), Doucoure (knee), Nketiah (thigh), Franca (adductor), Kporha (back), Kamada (knee)
Suspended: None
Forest look a settled unit with almost a full squad at their disposal. The only major absentee is Nicolas Dominguez after the Argentinian underwent surgery after a serious meniscus injury in his left knee.
Murillo and Nikola Milenkovic to continue as the centre-back pairing, while Callum Hudson-Odoi, Morgan Gibbs-White and Dan Ndoye provide the attacking spark behind Chris Wood, who leads the line.
New signings Douglas Luiz and Arnaud Kalimuendo are on the bench.
Nottingham Forest starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Sels (GK) — Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams — Sangare, Anderson — Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi — Wood
Nottingham Forest subs: Gunn, Morato, Douglas Luiz, Kalimuendo, Jesus, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Boly
Injured: Dominguez (knee)
Suspended: None
Crystal Palace vs. Nottingham Forest match details
- Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025
- Kickoff time: 2 p.m. local time / 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT
- Location: Selhurst Park, London (England)
- Competition: Premier League
- Referee: Anthony Taylor
- VAR: Paul Tierney
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