Nottingham Forest Perfect predicted XI vs Crystal Palace: ‘Talented’ £25m Player Set To Start Today

Nottingham Forest Perfect predicted XI vs Crystal Palace: ‘Talented’ £25m Player Set To Start Today

Steve Cooper’s Nottingham Forest travel to face Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace side today, in what is the 76-year-old’s 400th Premier League game as a manager.

The Reds are looking to pick up their first victory since they defeated Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on the 2nd of September.

 

Cooper’s side picked up a valuable point at home last Sunday against Brentford, after playing the last half an hour with ten men after Moussa Niakhate’s sending off.

 

 

 

They may be boosted by the news that key players Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze will both be missing for Palace through injuries

redicted XI to face Crystal Palace

After switching to a back four against Brentford last weekend, we think Cooper will stick with the 4-2-3-1 system to cause the Eagles problems in the final third.

Defence
After a shaky performance at the City Ground last weekend, we think Matt Turner will be replaced by Odysseas Vlachodimos who looks set to make his Forest debut.

 

With Nuno Tavares ruled out and Ola Aina only having a 50/50 chance of playing, Serge Aurier looks set to continue at right-back with the captain’s armband.

 

Harry Toffolo impressed in his 30-minute cameo last week after Niakhate’s dismissal, with Toffolo expected to come into the starting line-up today.

 

Murillo had an excellent debut at centre-back, with the 21-year-old expected to carry on his good form alongside Willy Boly who has been excellent so far this season.

Midfield

After playing a midfield trio against Brentford last weekend, we think Cooper will revert to two holding midfielders to allow for a more attacking setup.

 

Ibrahim Sangare had his best game in a Forest shirt last week, with the club-record man set to continue in the middle of the park.

Nicolas Dominguez had a superb debut, scoring a magnificent header which secured the Reds the point. He suffered a knock against the Bees but should be fit enough to start at Selhurst Park.

Attack
Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga have both enjoyed positive starts to life at the club, with the pair set to continue in the starting eleven today.

Morgan Gibbs-White was rested by Cooper last week but made an immediate impact upon his substitution last week. The ‘talented‘ midfielder will undoubtedly slot back into the starting side against Palace.

 

Taiwo Awoniy is the Reds’ top goalscorer so far this campaign, with the number nine set to lead the line once more.

Predicted XI vs Palace: Vlachodimos; Aurier (c), Boly, Murillo, Toffolo; Sangare, Dominguez, Elanga, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Awoniyi.