How Palace pair can inspire first win over Forest

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 8.

Crystal Palace

Palace have never beaten Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, but they head into their seventh attempt boosted by a tremendous 1-0 win at Manchester United.

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Injuries have hit the Eagles hard in recent weeks though, and star man Eberechi Eze has now joined Michael Olise, Jefferson Lerma and Dean Henderson on the sidelines.

Top scorer Odsonne Edouard is also a doubt, so Roy Hodgson will need to conjure up another smart, efficient game plan to claim back-to-back victories.

The performances of two of Palace's more experienced players, central defender Joachim Andersen and 32-year-old forward Jordan Ayew, will be integral to their prospects of success.

Andersen v Awoniyi

Palace’s 27-year-old centre-back Andersen scored a sumptuous winning goal at Old Trafford last time out, picking out the top corner with a stunning right-foot volley.

Andersen's goal v Man Utd

Defensively, he has also been a rock for Palace so far this season.

When Palace are asked to absorb pressure – and this happens a lot because they are a counter attacking side – Andersen’s positional awareness and dominance in the air are of paramount importance.

No other player has made more headed clearances, with West Ham United’s Kurt Zouma the only man to top his total for all types of clearances.

In addition, only one central defender, Brentford's Ethan Pinnock, has won more aerial duels with a total of 34 to the 21 of Andersen.

PL defenders clearances 2023/24

That power in the air should help the Denmark international cope with the threat of Forest’s powerful striker Taiwo Awoniyi.

Steve Cooper’s side will aim plenty of passes and crosses in the direction of their leading striker, so Awoniyi's duel with Andersen could be a defining aspect of the match.

Quality on the ball

In possession, the defender is also technically excellent.

Lewis Dunk, Rodri and Fabian Schar are the only players to have made more successful long passes than Andersen's total of 35.

Most successful long passes 2023/24

He can hit long diagonals, but is especially adept at clipping balls down the line for Ayew.

Forest left-back, Harry Toffolo, will need to be wary of those Anderson passes, which are usually dropped into Ayew’s feet, but occasionally they are knocked into space for him to run onto.

If the visitors sit off, Andersen will also carry the ball forward with confidence.

He makes 15 ball carries per 90 minutes, and from one of them he exchanged a 1-2 with Ayew to burst into the box and score at Brentford.

Ayew to step up

Without chief creators Eze and Olise, Palace’s wide man Ayew will need to step up against Forest.

He started the season outstandingly well with assists against Sheffield United and Brentford and his general play has been good ever since.

Ayew's assist for Andersen v Brentford

Only six Premier League stars have completed more successful dribbles than Ayew's 14 across the opening seven matches.

His pace and directness are a problem for full-backs, who have often resorted to foul play in a bid to stop him in his tracks.

Most fouled PL players 2023/24

While this can be frustrating for Ayew and his team-mates, Palace do win a lot of free-kicks because of the threat he carries.

During a period where match-winners such as Eze and Olise are missing, set-pieces may prove to be a valuable source of goals for Palace.

Ayew and Anderson are going to be key men for Hodgson’s side in this encounter.

Also in this series

Part 1: How De Zerbi must balance risk and reward
Part 2: Is it time for Arteta to pair Rice with Partey in midfield?
Part 3: Can Kovacic and Phillips step up in Rodri's absence?