Verdict: Manchester United win and over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
Still dreaming of securing a top-four return this season, Manchester United will welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United
Starting with Saturday’s hosts, while Manchester United would have been disappointed to have only taken a 1-1 draw away at Wolves on Monday night, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have still continued to build off a bright pre-season. Including making an early statement in their 4-0 win over Chelsea in their Premier League opener, the Red Devils still firmly believe they can secure a top-four return this year. Although their draw at Molineux may have cost United the chance to climb to the top of the table for the first time in two years, their Norwegian boss will be growing more impressed by his sides form in the final third. With Anthony Martial now finding the net in back-to-back appearances, he and England international Marcus Rahsford have already recorded four goals between them. Now enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run after failing to win any of their final five top-flight matches last season, a resurging Manchester United should see Saturday as a golden opportunity to lay down another marker.
Team News
Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot has been ruled out until after the international break next month due to injury. He joins fellow defenders and long-term absentees Eric Bailly and Timothy Fosu-Mensah on the sidelines.
Crystal Palace
As for the visitors, while a bright end to the season may have helped Palace comfortably secure their top-flight status for a seventh consecutive year, Roy Hodgson’s side have drastically struggled at the start of the new campaign. Suffering a 1-0 loss away at newly-promoted Sheffield United, the Londoners have failed to win any of their last three contests, including a 4-0 hammering against German outfit Hertha Berlin in their final pre-season appearance. More worrying, Palace are yet to record a single Premier League goal at the start of the New Year, the only side in the division not to do so. Just to add more pressure onto the former England boss, his side also hold a very worrying record against their opponents this weekend. Suffering a 3-1 loss when they last met United back in February, the Eagles have lost 11 of their last 13 matches against the Red Devils and have remarkably never secured a Premier League victory over the former champions.
Team News
Crystal Palace remain without injured central defenders Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins. As a result, summer signing Gary Cahill could make his debut for Roy Hodgson’s side.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester United have won 11 of their last 13 matches against Crystal Palace and have never lost a Premier League match against the Eagles.
- Anthony Martial has scored in both of his opening two Premier League matches.
- Crystal Palace have failed to register a goal in any of their last three matches across all competitions.
- Five of the last seven matches between the two sides have seen over 2.5 goals at full-time.
Conclusion
While Manchester United may have struggled in the second-half away at Molineux on Monday, the Reds should see this weekend as a golden opportunity to get back to winning ways. Given the hosts stellar record against Roy Hodgson’s side, we’re backing the former champions to come away with a routine victory at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Verdict: Manchester United win and over 1.5 goals
Best Odds: 5/6
Bookmaker: Bet365
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