Crystal Palace will look to an end an unwanted club-record run when they travel to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday.
Crystal Palace will look to end a barren Premier League run against Nottingham Forest when the two meet at the City Ground on Saturday.
In seven Premier League meetings, Palace are still yet to defeat the Tricky Trees, after a drab 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park earlier this season extended that run.
It is both the longest run that Palace have had against a top-flight opponent and not won, and Forest’s longest streak without being defeated by a single opponent in the top division.
On Forest’s return to the top flight, they beat Palace here at the City Ground last season 1-0, thanks to Morgan Gibbs-White‘s second half strike, as Wilfried Zaha missed a first-half penalty for the Eagles.
In the reverse fixture on the final day of last season, the two drew 1-1 with both clubs having already been assured of their Premier League status.
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Crystal Palace out to end dismal run of away form
Oliver Glasner has come in at the helm and improved Palace’s fortunes, with four points from three games, but the Eagles remain without an away win since early November.
Their 2-0 win at Turf Moor against Burnley remains Palace’s last victory on the road, stretching back eight matches, and their longest such run for seven years.
Ending that winless streak at the City Ground does not look too likely if recent history is considered either.
While Palace’s run against Forest in the top flight is already cause for concern, the visitors have won just once in their last 12 visits to the City Ground – in the Championship back in 2011.
Glasner was close to guiding Palace to a first away win in four months when they faced Tottenham Hotspur on their most recent travels, but three late goals saw Ange Postecoglou’s side win 3-1.
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Forest to be rejuvenated following points deduction?
Another possible negative for Palace is that the Forest faithful are set to be hugely vocal in favour of their team after the Premier League handed them a four-point penalty last week, dropping them into the relegation zone.
While Everton lost their first game after being handed a 10-point penalty earlier this season, they would go on to win four straight games to earn those points back.
If a similar scenario transpires with Forest, who could be galvanised by what they saw as unfair punishment, that may make the task more arduous for Palace.
Nuno Espirito Santo needs a boost as well, as five points from a possible 27 in 2024 has put his position under scrutiny, especially after reports had claimed that the club approached Maurizio Sarri earlier this month to take over from him.
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