Crystal Palace play their first home Premier League match of the season this afternoon, welcoming Nottingham Forest to Selhurst Park.
Softfootball reports that this game comes at the end of a hectic week for the Eagles, who must quickly refocus after their historic European debut on Thursday. The squad is also adapting to life without their star player following a major late window transfer.
Oliver Glasner’s first home team selection of the league season may face a tough time without Eberechi Eze controlling the midfield and a lot of the attacking play as the number 10 has signed for Arsenal following a huge transfer saga with Tottenham.
After coming through a challenging start last week, Palace’s 11-game unbeaten run now faces another test against two more clubs who finished in the top seven last season, as Forest at home is followed by a trip to Aston Villa before the international break.
Astonishingly, Palace have a dismal record in their opening home match of the season in the Premier League, losing 12 of 16, and they have only managed one goal in the last nine years against Southampton behind closed doors in 2020.
Forest are also unwelcome opponents for the Eagles, as Palace have never beaten them in 10 previous Premier League meetings, the most they have ever faced a side in the division without tasting victory.
It is also the longest unbeaten run Forest have enjoyed over another Premier League opponent, and across all competitions, they are unbeaten in eight trips to Selhurst Park, dating back to 2003.
Crystal Palace confirmed line up
Starting XI: Henderson (GK), Muñoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guéhi, Mitchell, Hughes, Wharton, Sarr, Devenny, Mateta.
Subs: Matthews (GK), Benítez (GK), Clyne, Lerma, Sosa, Rodney, Cardines, Esse, Edouard.
Your Crystal Palace XI to take on Forest 🦅
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 24, 2025
Nottingham Forest confirmed lineup:
Starting XI: Sels, Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, Williams, Sangare, Anderson, Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi, Wood.
Subs: Gunn, Morato, Douglas Luiz, Kalimuendo, Igor Jesus, Hutchinson, Yates, McAtee, Boly.
Your Forest XI to face Crystal Palace! 🗞️ pic.twitter.com/GH3uAuRDQW
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) August 24, 2025
