Oliver Glasner will return to Crystal Palace for the first time as Nottingham Forest head coach aiming to lift his new side after a disappointing start to the season. Forest sit 13th in the Premier League with five points from their opening five matches and were beaten 1-0 by Coventry City before the extended international break.
The Austrian believes Forest’s defensive consistency and high shot volume provide encouraging foundations, but says the team must improve the quality and location of its attempts while creating more clear-cut opportunities. He also highlighted Forest’s strong away record in 2025 and made clear that victory is the objective against Palace.
Glasner’s two-year spell at Selhurst Park brought the club its first major trophy in the FA Cup, followed by success in the Community Shield and UEFA Conference League. He left after deciding to pursue a new challenge when his contract expired, with that next step taking him to Forest.
Palace go into the meeting just one point and two places behind Forest after ending their pre-break schedule with a 0-0 draw at in-form Leeds United. Pierre Sage described the contest as especially significant, with the clubs closely matched in the table and in their performances. The game also carries added edge after Forest replaced Palace in last season’s UEFA Europa League following the Eagles’ expulsion over multi-club ownership rules involving John Textor’s interests in Palace and Lyon.
Sage acknowledged Glasner’s achievements in south London and also referenced Daniel Munoz’s return as factors likely to heighten the atmosphere. Palace then face Lyon in the Europa League before travelling to Brighton and Hove Albion on 19 October AEDT, making the Forest clash the first of three major grudge matches in succession.
