Crystal Palace vs Manchester United – English Premier League – Preview

Posted on May 8, 2015 by Sreya

Crystal Palace host Manchester United at Selhurst Park on Saturday as both teams look to overturn their recent form. Alan Pardew as well as Louis van Gaal’s sides will take the field, coming off three consecutive losses.

Manchester United sit on the 4th position in the Premier League table with 65 points while Crystal Palace are in 12th position with 42 points.

Team News & Formation

Jonathan Williams is the only confirmed absentee through injury for Alan Pardew, but Jerome Thomas, Marouane Chamakh and Fraizer Campbell have been listed as doubtful too. Martin Kelly, Mile Jedinak and Glenn Murray were dropped for Palace’s match at Stamford Bridge last week and could return to the starting XI this weekend. Louis van Gaal will be without the services of Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Jonny Evans and Rafael at the back and Michael Carrick in midfield.

Crystal Palace have regularly set up in a 4-3-3 under Pardew. Yannick Bolasie, Glenn Murray and Wilfried Zaha could be the front three while Joe Ledley, James McArthur and Jason Puncheon play in the midfield.

Manchester Untied forwards have really struggled to get going this season. Yet, Robin van Persie could start up front in a 4-1-4-1, with Marouane Fellaini, Wayne Rooney and Ander Herrera in the midfield. Juan Mata is expected to feature and Angel di Maria may get a start. Daley Blind could start at left back in absence of a more conventional option.

Key Statistics

Manchester United have kept a clean sheet in five of their last seven games against Crystal Palace and that trend should continue, considering the fact that Palace have failed to net a single goal in their last three Premier League outings. Also, in their last three games against Palace, United have won comprehensively.

Contributor’s Pick

Manchester United have dominated possession in their last few matches, a fact correctly pointed out by Louis van Gaal but have failed to convert most of their chances, again an observation from the United boss in the recent pressers. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, have been on a downhill slope ever since their top flight status was confirmed after a good measure of form under Pardew.

The odds favour a Manchester United win by 1.91, a draw by 3.6 and a Crystal Palace win by 4.5. According to H2H statistics, Crystal Palace have won only 6 games while Manchester United have won 19 games, in their previous meetings.

Manchester United are favourites to win by a margin of 3-2.