Premier League, Round 16

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United: Match preview and prediction

Manchester United will hope to build on the 1-0 win over Spurs as they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Wednesday evening.

By admin

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After an impressive 1-0 win against Tottenham last Sunday, Manchester United will travel to face Crystal Palace at Sellers Park on Wednesday night.

Manchester United managed to get a narrow but ultimately deserved win over Tottenham on Sunday thanks to Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s first half goal. This extends Manchester United’s unbeaten streak to eight matches in all competitions, with five of those ending in victory and that resulting in progression in the Europa League.

They have closed the gap between them and Spurs to 3 points as they are on the 6th position on the league table with 24 points. Man United are now 11 points behind the leaders Chelsea and 6 points behind their City rivals in the 4th position. Jose Mourinho’s side re improving with each game and they will be hoping for another win here.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace has been struggling this term, they have 15 points from 15 games. They are on the 15th place in the table and are 3 points above the relegation zone. Furthermore, Palace have just 4 wins to their name this season. They have a terrible head to head record against Manchester United and will need to do well in order to fix that.

Alan Pardew has a right to feel aggrieved by Crystal Palace’s dropped points on Saturday against Hull. They went behind to a penalty from Robert Snodgrass after a blatant dive, one which would have seen him pick up a second yellow card had the referee spotted it. Instead Hull took the lead and kept 11 men on the pitch, with the game eventually ending 3-3 after an 89th minute Fraizer Campbell equaliser.

Head to Head

Manchester United have played Crystal Palace 14 times in the Premier League and have never lost (W11 D3). The only side they have played more without defeat is Charlton Athletic (16, W14 D2).

Crystal Palace were winless in their three games against Manchester United last season, drawing at Selhurst Park but losing away at Old Trafford and at Wembley in the FA Cup final after extra-time. Moreover, Crystal Palace have lost 11 times to Manchester United in the Premier League, more than any other side they’ve faced.

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Form guide

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Last five meetings:

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Match Facts

  • Christian Benteke has scored in four successive Premier League appearances in the month of December (five goals in total).
  • Since the start of 2015/16, Manchester United have not won any of their six Premier League away matches in London (W0 D2 L4), including a current run of three successive defeats.
  • Wilfried Zaha has had a hand in seven goals in his last seven Premier League appearances (two goals, five assists).
  • Manchester United’s only defeat in their last 21 games against Crystal Palace in all competitions came in the League Cup quarter-final in 2011/12 (W16 D4).
  • The Eagles have failed to score in 11 of their 14 Premier League games against Manchester United. Jason Puncheon is the only current Palace player to score for the club against the Red Devils.
  • Christian Benteke has scored five goals in his last five Premier League appearances for Crystal Palace.

Team News

Crystal Palace

Palace will be without several of their first team stars for the visit of Manchester United. Tomkins, Sako, Wickham, Remy, Mandanda, J.Benteke, Souare are all injured. Jason Puncheon is suspended for this match.

Manchester United

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Henrikh Mkhitaryan will miss Manchester United’s trip to Crystal Palace on Wednesday night. Another player who will be absent is Antonio Valencia after the Ecuadorian right-back picked up his fifth booking of the season and consequently received a one-match ban.

Mourinho will also be without the services of Shaw, Smalling and Wilson for the trip to Selhurst Park. All are sidelined with an injury.

Predicted line-ups

Crystal Palace: Hennessey; Kelly, Dann, Delaney, Ward; McArthur, Ledley; Zaha, Cabaye, Townsend; Benteke

Manchester United: De Gea; Darmian, Jones, Rojo, Blind; Herrera; Lingard, Fellaini, Pogba, Martial; Ibrahimovic

Wednesday 14 December 2016 / Selhurst Park, London/ 21:00CET

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