Verdict: Manchester United win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Unibet
Looking to build off of their midweek victory, Manchester United will welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might have dealt with some very public issues over the past couple of months, they will undeniably be boosted by a much-welcomed victory in midweek. Welcoming former arch-rivals Arsenal to Old Trafford on Thursday night, the Reds picked up a 3-2 victory on home soil in what some were billing as a must-win showdown. Now with their sights set on trying to find a route back into the top-four, United will also welcome a new boss to their dugout this weekend. Finally handed a work visa hours before their win against Arsenal, Ralf Rangnick will be looking to get his tenure off to a flying start here. Managing to pick up just their second Premier League victory from any of their previous nine attempts on Thursday, the one-time RB Leipzig manager will likely be calling on Cristiano Ronaldo to spearhead their charge. Bagging a brace against Arsenal last time out, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner could be smelling another chance this weekend.
Team News
Manchester United will once again be without both Paul Pogba (hamstring) and Raphael Varane (thigh) this weekend.
Missing out in midweek, full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been given the green light to feature.
Crystal Palace
As for the visitors, while Crystal Palace might have entered November’s international break with back-to-back 2-0 wins against Wolves and defending champions Manchester City, the Eagles have largely come crashing back down to earth. Missing out on what was a golden opportunity in midweek as they suffered a last-gasp 1-0 defeat away at relegation scrappers Leeds, Patrick Vieira’s new squad have collected just a single point from any of their last three Premier League matchups. Marking their return from the fortnight break with a 3-3 draw against Burnley on the road, the former Arsenal icon has seen his side gain a reputation for their inconsistencies. Despite gaining plenty of plaudits earlier in the campaign, Palace have now managed to win just a pair of their 10 Premier League contests, a run that stems back to September 11th. Likewise, including their midweek defeat at Elland Road, it should also be noted that Sunday’s guests have recorded just a single victory away from Selhurst Park since opening the 2021/22 campaign.
Team News
Crystal Palace right-back Joel Ward will miss the trip to Old Trafford due to a one-game suspension after he received his fifth booking of the season during Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat at Leeds.
Eagles boss Patrick Vieira is also without James McArthur (hamstring) while Nathan Ferguson continues to build up his fitness.
Key Factors to Consider
- When the two sides faced off at Old Trafford in September 2020, Crystal Palace have picked up a 3-1 victory.
- Manchester United’s 3-2 win against Arsenal in midweek was their second Premier League win from their previous nine attempts.
- Likewise, Crystal Palace have won just a pair of their previous 10 top-flight contests, a run that stems back to September 11th.
- The Eagles have also recorded just a single victory away from Selhurst Park since opening the 2021/22 campaign.
- Five of United’s last seven Premier League matchups have finished with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Managing to pick up an action-packed 3-2 win against Arsenal in midweek, Manchester United will be looking to get Ralf Rangnick’s tenure off to a flying start on Sunday afternoon. Landing just their second Premier League victory from any of their last nine attempts earlier in the week, the Reds should be smelling a chance at Old Trafford here. With Cristiano Ronaldo bagging himself a brace against the Gunners, a downbeat Crystal Palace could face a stern test on the road. Landing just a single point from any of their three top-flight contests since returning from November’s international break, Patrick Vieira’s side have also shown a host of issues on the road. Picking up just a single win away from Selhurst Park so far this season, we’re backing a United win this weekend.
Verdict: Manchester United win
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Unibet
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