A battle of Premier League newcomers takes center stage on Sunday as Crystal Palace host Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park. Both these promoted teams have shown they can compete with the big boys this season.

Forest have rallied for gutsy draws against West Ham and Brentford despite being short-handed. Manager Steve Cooper has the Tricky Trees organized and scrappy.

They never seem to be the side that is making a comeback to the league after several years. They are playing as if they are a regular side well acquainted with the opposition they face every day.

This match pits Forest's grit against Palace's solidity. The home-field advantage could prove crucial, with the Selhurst Park crowd ready to roar their team on against fellow Prem new boys.

Crystal Palace vs Nottingham Forest

The match will take place on Sunday, 7th October, 2023, at Selhurst Park

Gutsy Palace Raid Old Trafford Again

Palace manager Hodgson set his team up in a solid 5-4-1 formation to congest the middle of the field. The compact shape stifled United's attack all game.

Palace remained disciplined in defense, closing down space in front of the back five. They made it very hard for United to build attacks through the middle third.

Clinical Finishing Decides It

Despite ceding most of the possession, Palace made the most of their few chances. Eze's excellent free-kick delivery found Andersen free in the box.

Showing great poise, Andersen guided a controlled finish into the bottom corner. Palace only needed that one moment of quality in attack.

Sloppy Defending Punished

United shot themselves in the foot with sloppy defending on Palace's goal. Eze's free kick found an unmarked Joachim Andersen completely free in the box.

Nobody in a red shirt tracked Andersen's run or picked him up. The Danish defender finished smoothly past the goalkeeper. More absent defending cost United.

Second Half Changes Can't Spark Comeback

Manager Erik ten Hag tried to change things up, bringing on attackers like Anthony Martial and wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho.

But United continued to lack ideas and precision in the final third. Only the lively Garnacho threatened with his pace and dribbling. The subs couldn't save United's toothless attack.

Battling Midfield Duo Crucial

The tireless midfield pair of Cheick Doucouré and Jeffrey Schlupp won vital battles all game long. They made tackle after tackle to break up United's rhythm.

Doucouré and Schlupp were relentless pressing and running to protect their defense. Palace's engine room ran on pure determination.

Resolute At The Back

Center backs Marc Guéhi and Andersen used their strength and positioning to nullify United's strikers. Guéhi in particular made several clutch clearances.

With the back five staying compact, Palace closed down space in their own end. They kept their shape under intense pressure late on to protect the lead.

Statement Win At Old Trafford

This huge victory gives Palace back-to-back wins at Old Trafford after also beating United in the FA Cup last season.

The resilient display proves Palace can go toe-to-toe with powerhouses like United. Hodgson's tactical plan worked to perfection.

Depleted Forest Rallies for Gutsy Point

Forest was quickly forced into changes as they lost center-back Moussa Niakhate to a red card in the second half. He was sent off for a bad tackle.

Down a man, Manager Cooper reacted quickly to shore up his defense. Forest showed character to absorb the setback.

Resourceful Goal From Losing Position

Even a man down, Forest responded immediately to going behind to Brentford. Nico Dominguez stooped to head in a looping equalizer.

Forests were resourceful to manufacture a goal despite their disadvantage. They kept battling against the odds.

Makeshift Defense Holds Up

With Niakhate off, Forest's makeshift back line had to fend off Brentford's pressure. The reshuffled defenders held up well.

Harry Toffolo, a sub himself, made a great clearance off the line late on. Forest's defense did their job to secure the draw.

Midfield Disruption Keys Battled Draw

Forest worked tremendously hard in midfield to disrupt Brentford's rhythm, especially after going down to 10 men.

Ibrahima Sangaré shielded the defense expertly. Forest's tireless midfielder grit was crucial to staying in the game.

Set Piece Provides Breakthrough

With the game meandering along goalless, Brentford finally broke through from a set piece. Mathias Jensen delivered a perfect cross onto Christian Norgaard's head.

It was a clinical finish from Norgaard. But Brentford needed a moment of Deadball quality to finally find a way past stubborn Forest.

Questionable Penalty Shout Denied

Brentford had loud penalty appeals waved away when Yoane Wissa was challenged by the goalkeeper in the box. Replays showed definite contact.

But despite Brentford's protests, neither the referee nor VAR saw enough evidence to point to the spot. A controversial no-call that incensed Brentford's players and staff.

Valuable Point Well Earned

Manager Cooper called this draw a "valuable point" considering Forest was shorthanded for over 40 minutes.

The team showed great resilience and fought to claw back a draw. This battling display proves Forest has the character to compete in the Premier League.

Predicted Lineups

Crystal Palace predicted lineup: S. Johnstone, T. Mitchell, Marc Guehi, J. Andersen, Joel Ward, Will Hughes, Cheick Doucoure, J. Schlupp, Eberechi Eze, Jordan Ayew, J. Mateta.

Nottingham Forest predicted lineup: Matt Turner, Ola Aina, Willy Boly, Joe Worrall, Serge Aurier, I. Sangare, Orel Mangala, C. Hudson-Odoi, M. Gibbs-White, A. Elanga, T. Awoniyi.

Key Battles

In midfield, Cheikhou Kouyaté takes on his former club. His steel will be vital against Forest's relentless pressing.

Up front, Wilfried Zaha's bag of tricks will try to unlock a sturdy Forest back line likely led by no-nonsense Joe Worrall. Skill versus strength.

Conclusion

This has the makings of a tense, tight clash. Settle in for an intriguing 90 minutes between two sides with contrasting styles and strengths.

If Forest can disrupt Palace's rhythm in midfield and defend stoutly, they definitely have a puncher's chance at springing an upset. Their physicality and work rate could pose problems.

With both teams exceeding expectations early on, this showdown presents a chance for them to keep proving doubters wrong. A tight contest likely awaits on Sunday in Nottingham.