Crystal Palace's remarkable turnaround under new manager Oliver Glasner has sparked hopes of a surprise Europa League qualification, while Nottingham Forest find themselves embroiled in a desperate fight for Premier League survival.
Palace's European Dream Alive
The Eagles have soared since Glasner's arrival, with their recent 3-1 victory over Wolves marking their fourth win in six matches. This impressive run has propelled Palace to 14th in the table, just seven points behind seventh-placed Newcastle with a game in hand.
Key to their resurgence:
- Jean-Philippe Mateta's scoring form (8 goals in last 9 games)
- Michael Olise's creative spark since returning from injury
- Glasner's tactical flexibility transforming the team's approach
Forest Staring at the Abyss
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest's 2-0 defeat to Everton has left them perilously close to the relegation zone, just one point above 18th-placed Luton Town. With tough fixtures against Chelsea and Burnley remaining, Nuno Espírito Santo's side face an uphill battle to preserve their top-flight status.
The City Ground outfit have won just once in their last ten matches, with defensive frailties continuing to undermine their survival bid. Their -19 goal difference could prove crucial in what promises to be a nail-biting conclusion to the season.
The Run-In
Palace face relatively favourable fixtures against Fulham and Aston Villa, while Forest must navigate challenging encounters with Chelsea and Burnley. The final matches could see:
- Palace potentially leapfrogging several teams for European contention
- Forest needing at least four points to guarantee safety
- A dramatic final day with multiple clubs fighting for different objectives
As the Premier League season reaches its climax, both clubs find themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum - one dreaming of European nights at Selhurst Park, the other desperately battling to avoid Championship football next season.
