Verdict: Manchester United win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Meeting for the second time in the space of a few days, Manchester United will welcome Crystal Palace back to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, while Manchester United might have shown a string of issues since opening up the new campaign, Erik ten Hag’s side certainly gained a welcomed boost earlier in the week. Extending on their EFL Cup adventure after breezing their way to a 3-0 romp against Saturday’s guests, the former Ajax boss will be calling for a repeat performance here. Still seeking some much-needed Premier League stability, the Red Devils have at least mustered back-to-back victories over the past week. Claiming what was a gritty 1-0 victory against Premier League returners Burnley last weekend, United will be excited by an eye-catching record against the Eagles. Including that routine 3-0 win when they welcomed Crystal Palace to Old Trafford in midweek, ten Hag’s side have lost just a pair of their previous 35 straight meetings – a run that stems all the way back to May 1991.
Team News
Still at the heart of a public feud with ten Hag and yet to return to the first-team picture at Old Trafford, England international Jadon Sancho will once again not feature here. Likewise, United still remain without the likes of Luke Shaw, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia.
While Harry Maguire might have made a rare start against Palace while on EFL Cup duties earlier in the week, the ex-Leicester defender will likely have to settle for a spot on the bench on Saturday afternoon. Handed a full rest in midweek, Marcus Rashford should be handed a full recall.
Crystal Palace
As for the visitors, while Crystal Palace might have arrived at Old Trafford earlier in the week smelling the chance to spring an EFL Cup upset, the Eagles put in a lacklustre display at Old Trafford. Eventually blown away thanks to that routine 3-0 drumming and failing to lay much of a blow on Saturday’s hosts, Roy Hodgson’s side have struggled to find any kind of fluidity since returning from September’s international break. Suffering an infamous last-gasp collapse away at Aston Villa on their return from the fortnight interval as they were hit with a 3-1 loss, the one-time England boss will also have a mounting headache over his side’s recent issues in the final third. Aside from what turned out to be a consolation strike against Villa on September 16th, that is the only goal that Palace have bagged in their previous three showdowns against Premier League opposition.
Team News
Once again missing out at Old Trafford earlier in the week, attacking talisman Michael Olise remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. The French youth star will is joined in Palace’s treatment room by the likes of James Tomkins, Nathan Ferguson and Jefferson Lerma.
Likewise, picking up a recent thigh strain, Hodgson’s side are sweating over the fitness of leading marksman Odsoone Edouard. Despite still waiting to open his Premier League account this season, Jean-Philippe Mateta should lead Palace’s charge at Old Trafford.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester United and Crystal Palace met on EFL Cup duties earlier in the week, the Reds breezed their way to a 3-0 romp at Old Trafford.
- Remarkably, ten Hag’s side have lost just a pair of their previous 35 straight meetings against the Eagles – a run that stems all the way back to May 1991.
- Crystal Palace have managed to muster just a single strike in their three appearances since returning from September’s international break.
- Five of Manchester United’s last six appearances across all fronts have seen over 2.5 goals by the final whistle.
- Continuing on from last season, Palace have recorded just a single win from their last seven away fixtures against Premier League opposition.
Conclusion
Claiming what was a welcomed EFL Cup boost earlier in the week as they breezed their way to that routine 3-0 against Saturday’s guests, Manchester United will be seeking a repeat performance here. Now clinching back-to-back wins for the first time since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, ten Hag’s side will be smelling a chance here. Remarkably losing just a pair of their last 35 straight showdowns against Crystal Palace, the Eagles will be more than aware that they face another stern challenge at Old Trafford. With Hodgson’s men showing some recent issues since returning from September’s international break, we are backing a home victory here.
Verdict: Manchester United win
Best Odds: 4/7
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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