STAR FOOTBALL PREVIEW Mon: Crystal Palace v Manchester United

With a chance of European football still in sight for Manchester United, Erik Ten Hag and his team should be fired up for tonight’s encounter at Selhurst Park, but Crystal Palace can give them plenty to think about, writes WILLIAM KEDJANYI.

9 goals in their last 4 games, with 3 wins including a deserved success at Anfield? It’s fair to say appointing Oliver Glasner has paid off for the South London side, and the fast, attacking football we’ve been seeing at Selhurst Park has fans excited for the future. Whilst the respect for Roy Hodgson around the club is not to be ignored, a team with talents like Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and the incredibly promising Adam Wharton was definitely underachieving.

However, the biggest beneficiary of this new era at Palace is striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who looked certain for the exit door prior to the Austrian taking over. Mateta’s scored 8 goals in 12 since Glasner came in, with 4 in his previous 3 appearances, and plenty will be interested in the ? for him to score tonight. That sort of form isn’t to be snuffed at and with the chance to rise a few more places in the league table, Palace will be counting on Mateta here too.

Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Premier League
Selhurst Park, London
Kick-off: 20:00
Live on Sky Sports Main Event HD / Sky Sports Premier League HD / Sky Go

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
(Maximum 10 matches)
SEP 2023 PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester United 0-1 Crystal Palace
SEP 2023 LEAGUE CUP Manchester United 3-0 Crystal Palace
FEB 2023 PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace
JAN 2023 PREMIER LEAGUE Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United
MAY 2022 PREMIER LEAGUE Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester United
DEC 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace
MAR 2021 PREMIER LEAGUE Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United
SEP 2020 PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester United 1-3 Crystal Palace
JUL 2020 PREMIER LEAGUE Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester United
AUG 2019 PREMIER LEAGUE Manchester United 1-2 Crystal Palace

Every game seems like a banana skin moment for Manchester United as they cycle through their final few weeks of the campaign, but with a chance to go from 8th to 6th if they win in South London, there’s still plenty to achieve for Erik Ten Hag, who will be desperate for a strong end to the season with new management at the helm in the shape if Sir Jim Radcliffe and INEOS.

With only one league win in their last 5, United’s total lack of control in games has been a huge issue and it doesn’t bode well that their last four Premier League wins all came against relegation-threatened teams, namely Luton, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Sheffield United.

Conceding 3 goals to Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final after being 3-0 up, shipping two goals to Sheffield United and conceding a late penalty to Burnley at home are just some examples of recent haywire moments during the campaign. However the constant swarm of defensive injuries hasn’t helped, and just this weekend Harry Maguire was ruled out of this game, leaving the Reds with no fit senior centre backs available.

There’s more bad news on that front, with Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay also injury doubts for tonight’s game, and United look extremely vulnerable heading to an in form Palace.

With Manchester United’s inability to keep a clean sheet and the improving form of Crystal Palace’s leading attackers, a potential Bank Holiday Monday Night Football classic could be in store. Both teams to score is just a ? shot, and Over 3.5 goals could be a live runner – and better value given United’s injuries, whilst the hosts look to be a good selection at 13/10 given the team news.

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RECOMMENDED BETS
BACK Crystal Palace 1 pt at 13/10 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)
BACK Over 3.5 Goals 2 pts at 23/20 (⭐ ? CLICK TO BET NOW)

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PROFIT/LOSS (MAY 2024): -10.90 POINTS

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