Crystal Palace travel to the City Ground on Sunday, aiming to halt an 11-match winless run and secure their first-ever Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest.
The Eagles have moved dangerously close to the relegation battle following a dismal winter period where they have picked up just two points from a possible 18. Manager Oliver Glasner is under increasing pressure to find a clinical edge for a side that has vastly underperformed its expected goals (xG) tally this season. With the FA Cup holders sliding toward the bottom three, a positive result in Nottingham is essential to restore confidence ahead of a difficult February schedule.
Crystal Palace Team News
Oliver Glasner manages a squad hit by a significant psychological and physical blow. Notably, top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta will take no part in the fixture after the manager confirmed he is not in the right headspace to play. This leaves a major void in an attack already missing the suspended Adam Wharton. Consequently, Glasner must find a way to spark an offence that has only scored four goals in its last six outings.
Dean Henderson will start in goal, protected by a back three likely featuring Maxence Lacroix and Chadi Riad. Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell will provide the width from wing-back positions. In the absence of Mateta, Ismaïla Sarr is expected to lead the line, supported by Yéremi Pino, who has been the team’s primary creative outlet, creating 32 chances this term. Jefferson Lerma and Will Hughes will be tasked with winning the midfield battle against a physical Forest engine room.
