A happier Palace side travel to Old Trafford this midweek after addressing a poor run of form to become unbeaten in April.
The excellent draw for Palace at the Emirates means the South London side are now unbeaten in four games, something to savour after a worrying fourteen games without a win and can look ahead to the FA Cup date with Watford at the weekend.
Opponents Manchester United also have cup ambitions but will be hoping to gain the three points in an attempt to keep the chasing pack below them in the table and put pressure on Arsenal in forth place.
The hosts have managed to build on their disappointing campaign last season but have spent in excess of three hundred million pounds to do so which begs the question, why are they not challenging for the title this season?
Team News
Crystal Palace – Palace continue to be without Kweshi Appiah, Marouane Chamakh, Dwight Gayle and Brende Hangeland while Scott Dann, Joel Ward, Joe Ledley and Yannick Bolasie are all doubtful.
Manchester United – Will Keane, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Adnan Januzaj and Luke Shaw are all unavailable while Phil Jones and Ander Herrera are doubts for the fixture.
Action Replay
The reverse fixture saw Palace earn a point against the red devils at Selhurst Park in a goalless draw. Yannick Bolaise put in a very effective performance on the left flank adding pressure on United full back Matteo Darmian, where Palace looked most threatening. The match involved a total of twenty-seven fouls making for a fairly scrappy game. Neither side managed to find the net which was a fair result considering the performance of the two sides.
Form Guide
Last six meetings between the two sides;
- 31st October 2015 – Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United
- 9th May 2015 – Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
- 8th November 2014 – Manchester United 1-0 Crystal Palace
- 22nd February 2014 – Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester United
- 14th September 2013 – Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace
- 30th November 2011 – Manchester United 1-2 Crystal Palace
In the last six games United have achieved twelve points from a possible eighteen with four wins and two losses while Palace have addressed the poor form by managing six points from one win, three draws and two losses.
Form Players (courtesy of Who Scored)
Yohan Cabaye (7.28), Anthony Martial (7.17), Chris Smalling (7.16), Yannick Bolasie (7.14), Danny Blind (7.14)
One To Watch
Wayne Rooney
The England striker returning to the Manchester United starting eleven will ultimately help them gather more successful results due to his experience and presence up front. After being presented with the captain’s armband, Rooney has developed into an effective leader for the Red Devils and has been truly missed over the past few weeks.
Predictions
Final league position – 5th
Despite looking to focus on the FA Cup semi-finals, United have enough squad depth and quality to finish fifth in the league but it will be a very interesting run with several clubs involved in the chase. There remains question marks over the managerial position and failure to finish in the top four or go all the way in the cup may encourage the board to make a change.
- TEB prediction – draw
- James Cummins prediction (see link below) – home win
- Who Scored prediction – home win
Betting Odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home – 1/2
- Away – 6/1
- Draw – 16/5
- Both teams to score – evens
Find our what James Cummins from Back Of The Net told TEB this week in The United View.
