Crystal Palace host Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park amid lingering fan bitterness after UEFA's multi-club ownership ruling demoted Palace to the Conference League and awarded Forest Palace's Europa League spot. Forest benefit contrasted with Palace's otherwise successful summer, which included an FA Cup victory, Community Shield triumph, and a narrow European qualifying win over Fredrikstad. Eberechi Eze was absent as his transfer to Arsenal nears, denying a likely farewell appearance. Palace have drawn five of seven recent matches and hold an 11-match unbeaten run that faces stern tests, while their Premier League home-openers record is poor, with 12 defeats in 16 and just one goal in nine seasons.
Instead of Nottingham Forest having to contest a Conference League qualifier on Thursday, it was Crystal Palace who were forced into action, as UEFA's ruling on multi-club ownership saw the Eagles demoted from the Europa League, with Forest handed their place in Europe's second-tier competition. That decision has sparked bitterness between the two fanbases, with Forest openly lobbying UEFA to clamp down on Palace.
The setback tarnished what had otherwise been a golden summer for Oliver Glasner's men, who lifted the FA Cup, claimed the Community Shield, and finally made their European bow by edging Fredrikstad 1-0 in Norway. Eberechi Eze was absent from that squad, however, as the England playmaker moves closer to sealing a transfer to Arsenal-a major blow for supporters so close to the deadline.
That stalemate at Stamford Bridge marked Palace's fifth draw in seven outings, more than any other Premier League side in that period. Their 11-match unbeaten run now faces stern tests, with Forest's visit followed by a trip to Aston Villa. History offers little encouragement: Palace have lost 12 of their 16 Premier League home openers, scoring just once across the last nine seasons.
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