Crystal Palace vs Manchester United: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Man United were much improved in their 3-0 victory away at Southampton, and they are facing a winless side in Crystal Palace. United have been good going forward as of late, averaging 1.3 goals per game so far.

The hosts have struggled defensively, and have conceded the first goal in five of their six fixtures. This is a fixture which regularly produces goals, and is usually reliable for over 2.5. The previous meeting resulted in a 4-0 loss for United at Selhurst Park.

Six of the last eight fixtures for United have breached the over 2.5 market. We are backing Bruno Fernandes to make a big impact in attack, scoring or assisting in an away win. The midfielder has averaged 3.3 shots per game with 0.8 on target. This season he has created one goal and two big chances – Crystal Palace 1-2 Man United

Manchester United travel down south to take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, with the hosts still searching for their first three points of the campaign.

Date: 21/09/24

Kick-off time: 17:30

Venue: Selhurst Park

A 2-2 draw at home to Leicester at the weekend means Crystal Palace are still winless this season. Expectations were high for Palace and manager Oliver Glasner after they ended last season strongly with six wins in seven. This year has started slowly with two losses and two draws, but they will hope that a big win this weekend can be the beginning of a turnaround.

Palace will be hosting a United side who eased a lot of the pressure on them with a 3-0 win at Southampton last time out. It had been a poor start to the season for Erik ten Hag’s side with two defeats from three, but they got back on track with three points. This result moved them up to 10th place in the table. There are still concerns for the side, particularly at the back, with weaknesses likely to be exploited by a better side.

This could give the hosts some optimism in coming away with a positive result, given the quality they possess in attacking areas. Goals have been at a premium for the Eagles so far with just four scored, but there is plenty of talent to cause the opposition problems. Eberechi Eze is the star man, and he has already scored this season against Chelsea. Jean-Phillipe Mateta led the way last season with 16 and scored a brace against Leicester, which was a welcome sight for the hosts. Eddie Nketiah was brought in from Arsenal to bolster their options further.

United have been vulnerable at the back but kept a second clean sheet against Southampton. Going forward, they now have five goals on the season. Perhaps most importantly, Marcus Rashford scored his first goal for the club since March. Rashford returning to form could change the outlook of the United attack. Palace have yet to keep a clean sheet at home, so the visitors will be confident in getting on the scoresheet.

As expected, this is a fixture which has historically been dominated by Man United, who have won 41 games to Palace’s 12. However, last season the hosts remarkably did the double over their opponents with two shutout wins. The first came at Old Trafford, where Palace were narrow 1-0 winners. Joachim Anderson scored a first-half winner that day. The reverse fixture was an embarrassing 4-0 defeat for the visitors towards the end of the season. Michael Olise scored a brace, adding to strikes from Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell. United did the double over Palace in the season prior.

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United will be available to watch on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Crystal Palace

Matheus Franca is out and is set for a return in October. New signing Trevoh Chalobah missed out last weekend but his injury is considered minor. Palace should have a fit squad to choose from otherwise.

Man United

Leny Yoro and Tyrell Malacia are long-term absentees. Mason Mount is set for a return from injury in early October. In defence, Victor Lindelof and Luke Shaw will likely miss the next game but are not far from coming back. Rasmus Hojlund is not too far away either.

Crystal Palace:

In their last five games, Crystal Palace have won one, drawn two and lost two. It has been a tough start to the Premier League season for Palace, as they were defeated in their opening pair of games. The first was a trip to fellow London side Brentford, where they lost 2-1. Bryan Mbeumo opened the scoring before Ethan Pinnock's own goal levelled the score. Yoane Wissa netted the winner with 15 minutes to go.

Their first home game resulted in a 2-0 loss in another London derby, this time against West Ham. Two goals in five second-half minutes from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen condemned them to defeat. Attention shifted to the EFL Cup, where they comfortably advanced to the third round with a 4-0 win over Norwich. Daichi Kamada, Jean-Philippe Mateta (x2) and Ismaila Sarr were on the scoresheet.

Before the international break, they picked up a big 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. Nicolas Jackson had given the hosts the lead, but a stunning finish from Eberechi Eze just after the restart ensured the points were shared. Their latest game was at home to Leicester City. They were on the verge of defeat down 2-1 in second-half stoppage time. However, Mateta scored his second of the game from the penalty spot to salvage a draw.

Man United:

In their last five games, Man United have won two, lost two and drawn one. It has been a hugely underwhelming start for United, as they have struggled in recent games. They won their opening league game 1-0 against Fulham, though the result could have gone either way. Joshua Zirkzee scored an 87th-minute winner.

They were unable to continue this momentum, however, as they fell to a 2-1 loss at Brighton. Former United player Danny Welbeck put the Seagulls in front before Amad Diallo equalised in the second half. The points looked to be shared but a 95th minute header from Joao Pedro sealed all three points for the hosts.

A match against rivals Liverpool followed, and they were dominated 3-0 at Old Trafford. Luis Diaz scored a brace before Mo Salah added another. Last time out, they faced Southampton away from home. They got back on track with a 3-0 win. The hosts missed a penalty before goals from Matthijs de Ligt, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho secured the win. This run of games started with the Community Shield, in which they were beaten 7-6 on penalties by Man City after a 1-1 draw.

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