As the Premier League season progresses, Crystal Palace and Manchester United face off in a crucial encounter at Selhurst Park. Crystal Palace, buoyed by their midweek EFL Cup victory over QPR, are desperate to turn around a faltering Premier League campaign. Their 2-1 win against QPR has injected a much-needed boost into their squad, but the challenge of Manchester United awaits.
Palace’s Recent Struggles
Crystal Palace’s start to the Premier League season has been underwhelming. They’ve failed to secure a win in their opening four matches (D2, L2), marking their worst start since the disastrous 2017/18 season under Frank de Boer. This starkly contrasts their impressive form at the end of last season, where they went unbeaten in their previous seven league games (W6, D1). Notably, they achieved a stunning 4-0 victory against Manchester United at home, a result that remains fresh in the minds of their fans.
Palace’s recent home record against Manchester United is encouraging, having remained unbeaten in their last four encounters at Selhurst Park (W2, D2). They’ve managed to keep the Red Devils at bay, conceding just one goal in these meetings.
Manchester United’s Resurgence
Manchester United seems to be rediscovering its form. After a challenging start to the season, they used the international break to regroup. Their recent performances have been impressive, with a 3-0 victory over Southampton followed by a commanding 7-0 win over Barnsley in the EFL Cup. Erik ten Hag’s side is hitting its stride, with these wins marking its biggest successes under his tenure.
However, United’s away form remains a concern. They have only won two of their last eight away league matches (D2, L4) and have struggled in London, securing only two wins in their 16 trips to the capital (D4, L10). Both of these victories came against Fulham, highlighting a trend of underperformance in the city.
Key Players to Watch
For Crystal Palace, new signing Eddie Nketiah is one to watch. He scored his first goal for the club in midweek and has been in excellent scoring form, having netted in four of his last five appearances. His ability to get on the scoresheet early could prove crucial for the Eagles.
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are also in sensational form. The duo has contributed to nine goals in United’s last two matches (G6, A3), and their creativity and finishing will be vital to breaking down Palace’s defense.
Hot Stat
An intriguing stat is that only two of Manchester United’s last eight Premier League matches have seen both teams score. This suggests that United’s games are often low-scoring, and a similar trend might continue at Selhurst Park.
Prediction
Given Palace’s strong recent record against United at home and the Red Devils’ inconsistent away performances, this match could be tightly contested. However, a draw could be a likely outcome, with both teams showing signs of improvement.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United
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