After three long weeks away due to the international break, Nottingham Forest finally return to Premier League action this Sunday with an electric, storyline-packed trip to the capital. All eyes will be firmly fixed on head coach Oliver Glasner as he leads the Reds to Selhurst Park to face his former club Crystal Palace for the very first time since his summer departure.
While Glasner has publicly insisted that the focus must remain strictly on the players on the pitch rather than his personal narrative, matchday squad selection is set to dominate the headlines. No fewer than six players have been officially ruled out of this high-stakes fixture, leaving both dugouts navigating major tactical adjustments.
Forest Boosted by Milenkovic Return as Savona Remains Sidelined
For Nottingham Forest, the international break provided a vital period of recovery. Glasner welcomed back his international contingent to the Nigel Doughty Academy with a virtually clean bill of health, alongside a massive boost in central defense.
Star defender Nikola Milenkovic, who missed Forest’s last two Premier League outings due to a nagging hamstring strain, is officially back in contention. The Serbian powerhouse proved his fitness by logging 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly victory over Swansea City last weekend and is expected to start against the Eagles.
The only definitive injury absentee for Forest remains long-term victim Nicolo Savona. The Italian full-back has been sidelined since undergoing knee surgery in January, and despite optimism that he would return to the grass during the break, he was not involved in first-team training sessions. Meanwhile, wing-back Daniel Munoz faces a late fitness evaluation after returning late from international duty with Colombia on Friday.
Crystal Palace Decimated by Injury Crisis and Suspensions
While Forest enter the clash relatively healthy, Crystal Palace are reeling from a severe squad depletion, with five key players missing from their matchday roster:
- Dean Henderson: The former Forest goalkeeper remains sidelined with an ankle issue that forced him out of September’s action and the England squad.
- Takehiro Tomiyasu: The Japanese defender is out after suffering a calf strain against Leeds United.
- Axel Disasi: The defender serves an automatic suspension following his red card against Ipswich Town.
- Chadi Riad: Suffered a serious knee injury against Everton and remains a long-term casualty.
- Jean-Philippe Mateta: Although back in partial training, manager Pierre Sage confirmed the star striker is not yet match-ready following a hamstring tear.
On a brighter note for the hosts, wing-back Anan Khalaili has been cleared to play despite a hamstring scare with Israel, while winger Ismaila Sarr has trained fully and is in line to start.
High-Stakes Battle at Selhurst Park
With Glasner eager to secure all three points on his former stomping ground and Forest seeking to fix their away-and-home performance balance, this clash promises massive fireworks.
Exploiting Palace’s makeshift backline will be top priority for Forest’s attacking unit as both teams battle to make a massive post-international break statement.
Do you think Oliver Glasner will mark his return to Selhurst Park with a statement victory for Nottingham Forest?
