Ahead of Crystal Palace’s return to Premier League action, Nottingham Forest expert, Round Table’s very own Jak Netting has given us the low down on what to expect from this afternoon’s opposition. 

Forest have had a similarly slow start to the season, sitting just two places above Palace in the table ahead of kick off. 

But how is the mood in the Forest camp, is Oliver Glasner capable of beating Palace and what can the fans watching the game expect?

Oliver Glasner coming into the club was not only a huge coup, but a potential sign that things may be changing at Forest, who have been one of the most turbulent clubs in terms of manager stability. Glasner comes in as a different option though, and is easily a level above the other managers they’ve had in recent years. 

“It’s a largely positive mood in and around the Forest camp,” Jak told us. “There are of course some concerns after the Coventry defeat, but most see that as an anomaly, because bad results come for every team here and there.”

Palace too have lost to one of the newly promoted sides at home, after throwing a late equaliser to concede a last minute winner to Ipswich at Selhurst Park. 

Palace fans will be all familiar with slow starts for Oliver Glasner, after experiencing that for themselves for two seasons. However, what they will also be aware of is how strong Glasner’s sides are away from home. 

“Besides that game [Coventry], Forest has steadily improved game by game under Glasner, and were starting to look much more like a typical Glasner side, as cohesion and understanding developed before the international break.”

Both clubs experienced significant change over the summer, both in terms of coaching staff but also players too. The unique aspect of this game is that Forest will come to Selhurst with not only Glasner, but also Daniel Muñoz, who the Reds signed from Palace. 

“The big change is obviously Glasner’s arrival. It was not expected, but was undoubtedly an upgrade. The squad have adapted pretty quickly, and among the finer details, the most notable change is the shape, now implementing Glasner’s famed 3-4-2-1 setup.”

Forest have had a similar struggle to Palace in terms of finding the right fits for the new system, and whilst it’s taken time for the Reds, Glasner seems to be settling on his options. 

“Xaver Schlager came in in midfield, and has been a really positive free signing, injecting a real energy into midfield. James McAtee has also been moved into a deeper role and has been Forest’s player of the season so far. He has reinvented himself, and is now fundamental to the side.”

It’s been quite difficult for fans to gain an understanding of what to expect from Forest each season with how often the management has changed. However, with Glasner now at the helm and a consistent style, what can Palace fans expect?

“A lot of energy, and a focus on play down the right-hand side, with Muñoz and Morgan Gibbs-White developing a great understanding. Don’t be surprised to see Murillo surge forwards at times, he can look just as natural on the edge of the opponent’s box as he does in his own.”

So Palace fans will likely see a lot of Muñoz marauding forwards, which will likely be a strange thing to witness considering how fantastic he was for Palace. 

“When the attack clicks, they take an awful lot of stopping, but then there’s been games like Coventry, where we could still be playing now and Forest wouldn’t have scored.”

So a difficult game to predict for both sides, and one which will likely be decided by fine margins.