Crystal Palace v Man Utd – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Crystal Palace host Man Utd at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night. The game was originally scheduled for the 20th of March but has been moved forward due to United’s involvement in the FA Cup. Palace will be hoping to increase their ten point buffer to the relegation places whilst Man Utd will want to turn their spate of recent draws into a win to go into the Manchester derby this week in a confident mood.

Palace Form

Roy Hodgson’s side have had a very inconsistent season. Their longest unbeaten run in the league is three matches whilst they’ve taken some real thrashings which is not usual for a side that is famed for being well drilled defensively. They have the fourth worst goals conceded record in the Premier League.

After a 4-0 loss at Man City and a 3-2 home defeat to West Ham, they won consecutive matches against Wolves (1-0) and Newcastle away (2-1) to open up some breathing space at the bottom. They then lost consecutive matches before a crazy smash-and-grab win at Brighton where they conceded 25 shots and 26 dribbles but scored twice from their three shots.

xG map for Brighton – Palace

oh no baby

— Caley Graphics (@Caley_graphics)

In their last match, Palace drew 0-0 at home with Fulham without having a shot on target.

Palace Team News

Roy Hodgson is very unhappy with this match being moved as it means three weeks until they play again plus Wilfred Zaha will still be absent against his former club. In defence, all of James Tomkins, Nathaniel Clyne and Mamadou Sakho are missing. James McArthur is another injury problem for Palace and that weakens midfield.

Hodgson is likely to continue to use Cheikhou Kouyaté at centre back in preference to Scott Dann whilst Jean Philippe Mateta will be hoping to start up front after an unimpressive performance from Christian Benteke in the last match.

Palace Motivation

Palace will play defensively with a ten men behind the ball and would certainly take a draw from this match. Expect Andros Townsend to diligently track back against Luke Shaw and most of Palace’s chances to be on the counter attack.

Even if trailing, Palace are unlikely to open up to chase the match and risk a thrashing.

Man Utd Form

United have lost just one of their last 16 matches across all competitions but they have drawn four of their last six league matches and five of the last nine in 90 minutes across the three competitions they are competing in.

On their travels, Man Utd are unbeaten all season and it’s 20 matches since they lost on the road. However, they’ve drawn five of their last seven away league matches having won 10 in a row before that. They’ve also only scored two goals in their last five away. Their last match saw a dull 0-0 draw at Chelsea where United appeared happy with a point.

Man Utd Team News

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains without Paul Pogba in midfield so it’s likely to be the Fred and Scott McTominay double pivot again. Edinson Cavani is a doubt in attack but should start if he is fit. Otherwise, Anthony Martial may be set for a recall with one of Mason Greenwood or Daniel James benched.

Not a lot of rotation is expected but Eric Bailly could be considered in defence to give Victor Lindelof a break.

Man Utd Motivation

Man Utd will want to put their run of draws to one side and get back to winning ways. A point from this match would not be seen as a good result so Solskjaer will have to be much more attacking than against Chelsea even if that opens his side up to Crystal Palace’s counter attacks.

United face Man City this weekend so will feel like they have to win this match so make sure any possible victory over the weekend cuts the gap down to nine points or better.

Key Stats

Crystal Palace have won 2 of their last 9 home PL matches (L4, D3)

Palace have failed to score in 4 of their last 9 home PL matches

Man Utd have drawn 5 of their last 9 matches in 90 minutes

United have drawn 4 of their last 6 PL matches

United are 20 away PL matches unbeaten (W13, D7)

Man Utd have failed to score in 3 of their last 5 away PL matches

Prediction

This is a tough away game for Man Utd. Palace may not be in top form and they’re missing Zaha but they won’t give United the space that they enjoy. A narrow away victory is perhaps the best bet to take.