Prediction: Crystal Palace vs Manchester United

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster

Looking to make it back-to-back Premier League victories on Saturday evening, Manchester United will travel to Selhurst Park when they meet Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace

Starting with the hosts, while Crystal Palace might have extended on their EFL Cup adventure earlier in the week thanks to a 2-1 victory away at Championship outfit QPR, the Eagles have struggled to find any kind of stability since opening up the new campaign. Despite mounting a last-gasp comeback at home against Premier League returners Crystal Palace last weekend as they snatched a 2-2 stalemate in south London, Oliver Glasner’s men have failed to win any of their first four top-flight appearances. Opening the 2024/25 campaign with a 2-1 loss away at Brentford on August 18th, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss will also be calling on his squad to find some recent defensive resolve. In fact, Crystal Palace have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their first six competitive matchups across all competitions.

Team News

Dealing with a recent injury issue after completing a Deadline Day move from Chelsea, Crystal Palace are hopeful that Trevoh Chalobah will be able to feature on Saturday evening. However, Morocco international and summer recruit Chadi Riad remains on the sidelines and is not expected to feature at Selhurst Park.

Bagging a dramatic second-half brace against Leicester last weekend, Jean-Philippe Mateta will spearhead Glasner’s charge in the final third. Handed a rest away at QPR earlier in the week, Cheick Doucoure will make a full return here and partner Adam Wharton in the middle of the park.

Manchester United

As for the visitors, while Manchester United might have entered September’s international break with an infamous 3-0 drumming at home against bitter historic rivals Liverpool, Erik ten Hag’s side have claimed a recent boost. Extending on their own respective EFL Cup adventure in midweek as they stormed their way to a 7-0 romp at home against Barnsley, the former Ajax boss will be calling on his squad to make a statement of intent here. Marking their return from September’s fortnight interval with a 3-0 victory away at Premier League returners Southampton last weekend, Saturday’s guests do appear to have turned a recent corner. However, facing a real uphill battle in the race to book a top-four return, ten Hag’s men should be concerned by their most recent trip to Selhurst Park. When United travelled to south London back on May 6th, they suffered a woeful 4-0 drumming.

Team News

While Rasmus Hojlund might still be waiting to make a first Premier League appearance of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury over the summer, Manchester United are hopeful that the Danish marksmen can return to ten Hag’s squad here. Likewise, England international Luke Shaw could also play some part in south London.

However, although Mason Mount might be inching closer to a first-team return, the former Chelsea star will not travel to Selhurst Park this weekend. Recording three goals in his back-to-back appearances since returning from September’s international break, Marcus Rashford will lead United’s attack.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester United last travelled to Selhurst Park back on May 6th, they slumped to an infamous 4-0 loss.
• In fact, the Reds lost both of their Premier League showdowns against the Eagles last season.
• Manchester United have won just one of their previous five Premier League appearances against Saturday’s hosts.
• Crystal Palace have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their first six competitive matchups across all competitions.
• Continuing on from last season, United have seen nine of their previous 11 Premier League matchups away from Old Trafford finish with over 2.5 goals.

Conclusion

Hit with an infamous 4-0 drumming when they travelled to Selhurst Park back on May 6th, Manchester United will be desperate to avoid another south London nightmare. However, appearing to have turned a recent corner since returning from September’s international break, ten Hag’s side will be looking to cash in on a Crystal Palace squad that have failed to win any of their opening four Premier League appearances. With the Eagles playing out a thrilling 2-2 stalemate at home against Leicester last weekend, neutrals will be hoping for another enjoyable affair here.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 4/6

Bookmaker: Luckster