Two teams close to the Premier League relegation zone do battle in West Bridgford for crucial points in their quest for survival
It is set to be an exciting top-flight clash when Crystal Palace travel to Nottingham Forest as both sides are scrambling to rise the league standings.
These clubs played out a very uninspiring goalless draw during the reverse fixture in Roy Hodgson’s 400th Premier League match. A goal from Morgan Biggs-White gave Forest a 1-nil win the last time Crystal Palace visited the City Ground.
Nottingham Forest had an eventful season as the Tricky Trees won only one of their first three matches of 2023-24. They however got their first away win at Chelsea in 27 years as their campaign sparked into life but they failed to win any of their next five matches against Burnley, Manchester City, Brentford, Crystal Palace, and Luton Town with four draws and a defeat to the Premier League champions.
Liverpool were 3-nil winners at Anfield but Forest got a morale-boosting win at home to Aston Villa. Since then, the Tricky Trees failed to win any of their next seven matches as Steve Cooper was replaced at the helm by Nuno Espírito Santo.
The two-time European champions lost to Bournemouth 3-2 after going down to 10 men on their manager’s debut, but then ended 2023 with back-to-back wins – including a first against Manchester United in 29 years – to move four points clear of the relegation zone.
Forest needed extra time to see off Blackpool 3-2 in a thrilling FA Cup third-round replay and while the club was charged with breaching Premier League profit and sustainability rules in their accounts for 2022–23, they resumed from the winter break with a 3-2 defeat to Brentford.
Another loss at home to Arsenal was followed by a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth and they must string results together amidst the looming threat of a points deduction.
A home encounter against Crystal Palace is a good chance to get maximum points which could be key in their quest to stay in the Premier League.
The Eagles have also had mixed results all season as they struggled with injuries to their best players. Roy Hodgson returned to the Eagles’ dugout in March to deliver a positive end to last season but mitigating factors have made this an indifferent campaign so far.
Crystal Palace beat Sheffield United in the opening game of the season through Odsonne Edouard’s goal but Arsenal were able to get a slim victory at Selhurst Park on Matchday 2. A draw and a win against Brentford and Wolves set them off to a decent start in the first four games.
Nevertheless, Aston Villa’s quickfire goals turned a defeat into a 3-1 win but Palace steadied the ship somewhat with three consecutive clean sheets in the next games which included scoreless draws at home to Fulham either side of a 1-0 win at Manchester United.
Palace only won one and drew three of their next 11 matches as the season threatened to descend into mediocrity. However, the year 2023 ended with Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze sealing a 3-1 win over Brentford.
A defeat to Everton in their FA Cup Third Round replay was followed by a 5-0 thrashing at Arsenal on their return to Premier League duty. The Glaziers came back impressively against Sheffield United but were undone only four days later by a heavy defeat to derby rivals, Brighton.
Roy Hodgson is under immense pressure to get his side performing consistently again as Palace sit just five points clear of the relegation zone. They must secure results from winnable games and the trip to Nottingham Forest certainly falls into that category.
Match tickets
This Premier League game is scheduled to take place on Saturday, March 30 2024 with kick-off set for 3 PM UK time. Match tickets are on sale via each club’s website and registered members will be given priority allocation.
The City Ground boasts a powerful atmosphere for the home side with nearly 30,000 expected to fill the stands beside the River Trent. Traveling fans will also be keen to get into the ground so the search for tickets is set to be complicated.
Hence, supporters still looking for Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace tickets should check for theirs on a ticket resale site.
Team news
Brazilian defender Felipe has returned to full fitness but his minutes must be managed as he has featured just three times this season amid knee and hamstring injuries.
Chris Wood is out with a hamstring injury at the time of writing while the likes of Ola Aina, Serge Aurier, Willy Boly, and Ibrahim Sangare will have returned from international duty before this match.
Crystal Palace’s attacking duo of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise have been marred by injuries so far with the pair starting just four games together all season. Yet they have registered eight goals and three assists between them in those games.
Line-ups
Nuno must quickly implement his playing style and motivate the players and fans to get the desired results.
Forest has a talented front four and they must feature as much as possible till the end of the season.
Nottingham Forest: Turner; Aurier, Worrall, Murillo, Aina; Danilo, Sangare; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Awoniyi
Palace must manage their fitness issues in attack but Hodgson can still call upon Jordan Ayew, Jeffrey Schlupp, and Jean-Philippe Mateta if Olise or Eze are not fit to play.
Crystal Palace: Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Lerma, Richards, Eze; Olise, Mateta, Ayew
Prediction
Both teams are evenly matched as there are only three points between them on the Premier League table. Indeed, Nottingham Forest will be looking to make their home advantage count where they have three of their five wins so far this term.
This match would be cagey and it could go down to who wants it more on the day, set-pieces should also be vital to deciding the destination of the points.
Nottingham Forest 2-2 Crystal Palace