The Premier League's opening weekend delivers an early test of momentum when Crystal Palace—riding a wave of late-summer confidence—hosts a resurgent Nottingham Forest side at Selhurst Park this Sunday (9:00 AM ET). The Eagles enter 2025-26 as one of the league's hottest teams, boasting an unbeaten five-game preseason streak (DWDWW) that suggests Oliver Glasner's tactical blueprint is already clicking. But Forest, fresh off a rollercoaster campaign and armed with a WLWDD form line of their own, arrive with nothing to lose and a point to prove—especially after their late-season survival heroics last term.

This clash pits Palace's newfound defensive solidity against Forest's unpredictable attack, where counter-pressing chaos could turn the tide in an instant. With both managers known for bold, high-tempo approaches, expect a breathless encounter where set pieces and transitions decide the outcome. For Palace, it's a chance to announce their top-half ambitions; for Forest, an opportunity to silence doubters who question their staying power. In a league where first impressions linger, Sunday's winner won't just claim three points—they'll seize early control of the narrative.