Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Eberechi Eze-less Crystal Palace travel to the east midlands to take on a Nottingham Forest side who began the Premier League season in fine fashion.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / US – Peacock Premium
Crystal Palace preview: Eze departure
Crystal Palace began their Premier League campaign with a goalless draw against recently-crowned Club World Cup winners Chelsea, although they can count themselves somewhat unfortunate after Eberechi Eze's free kick was rather harshly ruled out.
Eze himself has been in the headlines this week with the England star currently on the verge of sealing a move to Arsenal.
Nottingham Forest preview: Wood continues where he left off
Nottingham Forest's pre-season results were fairly uninspired but they stepped up in their Premier League opener, seeing off Brentford 3-1 at the City Ground. Scorer of 20 Premier League goals last season, frontman Chris Wood is already up-and-running in the present campaign having scored twice against the Bees, while summer signing Dan Ndoye grabbed the other goal for Nuno Espirito Santo's men.
Some cracks are appearing behind the scenes, however, with Espirito Santo's relationship with club owner Evangelos Marinakis having broken down, leaving the Forest boss potentially facing the sack.
Crystal Palace team news: Kamada close
Romain Esse could step in for the departing Eze on the left side of attack although Justin Devenny, who started in that position in Europe on Thursday, is another option. Only two players - Chris Richard and Tyrick Mitchell were rested in the UEFA Conference League.
Daichi Kamada has been involved in training but Oliver Glasner was not confident that he was ready to make the squad just yet.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Esse; Mateta
Unavailable: Riad (Injured), Kporha (Injured), Doucoure (Injured), Franca (Injured), Nketiah (Injured)
Questionable: Kamada (Fitness)
Nottingham Forest team news: Influx of new faces
Recent signings Douglas Luiz, James McAtee, Omari Hutchinson and Arnaud Kalimuendo could all be involved in some capacity, once Espirito Santo has assessed their condition.
Central midfielder Nicolas Dominguez is the only player known to be missing through injury at the present time.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sels; Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams; Sangare, Anderson; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Wood
Unavailable: Dominguez (Injured)
Questionable:
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest prediction
The imminent sale of Eberechi Eze has dominated the headlines in English football this week, but Crystal Palace put that to one side on Thursday night when they defeated Fredrikstad in the first leg of their Conference League play-off - their first ever European tie.
It's a quick turnaround for the Eagles, then, who aren't accustomed to juggling European football with domestic duties. Having lost star man Eze this week, they may lack both energy and bite against this steadfast Forest defence.
With the evergreen Wood starting the season well, we think an away win could be on the cards here, assuming off-the-field distractions regarding Espirito Santo's position is put to one side.
Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest tip: Nottingham Forest to win
