Manchester United secured back-to-back wins in all competitions for the first time since September when they beat Tottenham 1-0 on Sunday. With other results going in their favour, they are now only six points adrift of fourth place ahead of the midweek fixtures.
Crystal Palace are unbeaten in two matches after their 3-3 draw with Hull on Saturday but are still a long way from securing their Premier League safety. Naijabet.com
Their defending has been abysmal this season and they are only three points above the bottom three. Their last seven league games have seen a staggering five goals a game!
Alan Pardew is potentially now on a defining run in his tenure as Palace boss with matches against United, Chelsea and Arsenal to come in their next four matches. The Eagles have the chance to get some revenge here following their FA Cup final defeat to United in May.
Games at Selhurst Park have proved difficult for United in recent years, but this should be an entertaining game given the nature of Palace’s recent results. If Jose Mourinho’s side can minimise the threat posed byChristian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha then they should manage another three points here.
Team News
Crystal Palace – Jason Puncheon serves a one-match ban and will miss the reception of Manchester United on Wednesday, which should see Yohan Cabaye return to the starting XI.
James Tomkins missed the 3-3 draw with Hull at the weekend and may not recover from time to face United, which could see Martin Kelly retainhis place at right-back.
Pape Soaure, Connor Wickham, Jonathan Benteke and Steve Mandanda are all long-term absentees, while Loic Remy lacks match fitness.
Manchester United – Henrikh Mkhitaryan suffered an ankle injury in the 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday and has been ruled out until Boxing Day. Jesse Lingard may be preferred to Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford, if Jose Mourinho is cautious of marking Wilfried Zaha out of the game.
Antonio Valencia is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in Sunday’s win, which gives Mourinho a selection headache at right-back.
Given the pace available on the flanks to Crystal Palace, Mourinho may be concerned about bringing Daley Blind into the team, and with Luke Shaw still a doubt, Ashley Young or Tim Fosu-Mensah could deputise in Valencia’s place.
Eric Bailly was surprisingly left on the bench at the weekend but may be called back into the starting XI to help deal with the aerial threat posed by Christian Benteke.
Match Facts
There have been over 2.5 goals scored in Crystal Palace’s last 7 games (Premier League).
Crystal Palace have seen under 2.5 goals in 8 of their last 9 matches against Man Utd in all competitions.
Crystal Palace have scored at least 3 goals in their last 3 matches (Premier League).
Man Utd are undefeated in their last 11 matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions.
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Man Utd’s last 4 games (Premier League).
Crystal Palace have conceded at least 2 goals in 6 of their last 7 Premier League matches.
Man Utd are undefeated in their last 6 matches in Premier League.
As at this post Crystal Palace has 5.72 odd to win the match on NaijaBet while Manchester United has 1.67 odd to win the match also, while the odd to draw the match is 4.00.