Palace Must Move On Quickly With Opportunity To Right Midweek Wrongs

The Eagles return to league duty at Selhurst Park this Sunday after suffering defeat in their midweek trip to France in the Conference League. 

There really is no let up as we see out the penultimate month of the year by hosting United who have experienced a recovery of sorts until their recent home defeat to Everton.

Oliver Glasner is trying desperately to manage minutes appropriately for a squad of players that is thin in depth and is doing what he can to mix and match where appropriate. You could argue that did not particularly work against Strasbourg, but he must make find that balance between not over exerting players at his disposal, and winning games in all competitions. 

It is a fixture list that is likely to see the Eagles exceed 60 games come the end of the season, but that is certainly not something to moan about, it is what being successful is all about and there is a real appetite to go deep in the Conference League.

Even though there were high profile changes to the line up during the game in France in midweek, along with an early exit by Will Hughes, all players with the exception of Borna Sosa have reported fit for the visit of United. 

One of the important lessons from the defeat in midweek is not just about converting the chances and being more clinical, but it is about more players chipping in with goal contributions to help take the pressure of regular goal scorers Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr.

A real highlight of that game though was the excellent work by Mateta to play in Tyrick MItchell who scored a very good goal, and one that is something that the defender and the coaching staff have been actively looking to improve.

Ultimately, the success Glasner has had as Palace boss has been built from the back with a solid foundation, and a group of players in those positions that know their job and those around them, which makes them hard to break down for any team they face.

This fixtures sees out the month of November, with eight fixtures to face in December which will be a very tall order to manage both on and off the pitch, but that does mean that there are opportunities to bounce back and not dwell on such results as happened in midweek. 

Match Details

• Date & Time: Sunday, November 30, 12:00 GMT
• Venue: Selhurst Park, London
• Broadcast: TNT Sports 1 (UK), Fubo/DAZN (international)

Current Form

• Crystal Palace:

  • 5th in the table with 20 points.
  • Unbeaten in last 12 home league games (W6, D6).
  • Recently beat Wolves 2-0 in the league but lost 2-1 to Strasbourg in the UEFA Conference League midweek.
  • Defensive strength: Only Arsenal have conceded fewer goals this season.

• Manchester United:

  • 10th in the table with 18 points.
  • Winless in last three matches (D2, L1), including a 1-0 home defeat to 10-man Everton.
  • Away struggles: Just 1 win in last 11 away league games, and only 3 wins in last 26 trips to London.

Head-to-Head

• Overall: Man United lead with 41 wins vs Palace’s 13 (11 draws).
• Recent meetings: Palace unbeaten in last 4 league games vs United (W3, D1), all clean sheets.
• At Selhurst Park: United have not won in last 5 visits (D3, L2).

Team News

• Crystal Palace:

  • Out: Cheick Doucouré, Caleb Kporha, Borna Sosa (injuries).
  • Doubt: Will Hughes (knee).
  • Likely XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Muñoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta.

• Manchester United:

  • Out: Benjamin Sesko (knee), Harry Maguire (thigh), Matheus Cunha (head injury).
  • Possible XI: Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Mazraoui, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mount, Diallo; Mbeumo.

Key Stats

• Palace have kept 3 consecutive clean sheets in the league.
• United have conceded in 7 straight away games and failed to score in their last two matches.

Predictions

• Sports Mole: Draw likely (Palace fatigue vs United’s need to bounce back).
• DAZN & Outlook: Palace tipped for a narrow win (2-1).
• NBC Sports: United could edge it if they capitalise on Palace’s midweek exertions.

General View

Given Palace’s home form and United’s away woes, Crystal Palace are slight favourites, but United’s fresher squad could make this tight. A 1-1 draw feels realistic.