Crystal Palace are set to complete their two Premier League engagements with Manchester United within the space of a few weeks, either side of hosting another top-four club in Newcastle.
Crystal Palace
An 11th consecutive Premier League loss to Chelsea, and their fourth loss ‘to nil’ in their last five league games this season, left mid-table Crystal Palace closer to the relegation zone than the European places (by points). Their recent misery appears set to continue throughout one of the most difficult post-World Cup periods on paper for any Premier League club. They’re set to complete their two Premier League engagements with Manchester United within the space of a few weeks, either side of hosting another top-four club in Newcastle. Despite being able to devote their full attention to the Premier League after exiting both domestic cups, Palace have been unable to claim a noteworthy scalp this Premier League campaign, and their winless Premier League record against current top-half clubs sets them up for a few more difficult weeks to come.
Manchester United
Man United’s last trip to Crystal Palace (L 1-0) ended Ralf Rangnick’s disappointing tenure, but his successor Erik ten Hag, is in no such danger. Ten Hag has steered his side to nine straight wins across three tournaments, the most recent of which would have been the sweetest of all when they registered a come-from-behind 2-1 Manchester derby triumph that ended three consecutive Premier League losses against their city rivals. The three-time Eredivisie winner has called for his players to “keep (their) feet on the ground”, dismissing title speculation as “ridiculous”, particularly with a trip to Arsenal between their two clashes with Palace that is sure to shed some light on their credentials. For now, they can move into second with victory for a night at least, and with a 69 per cent win rate as pre-match favourites this season, they should be confident of doing their bit.
Despite not scoring in the Premier League since November, Palace’s Wilfried Zaha may step up for this fixture after scoring in two of his last three H2Hs against his former club. After his recent equaliser, stand-in United captain Bruno Fernandes has now scored after half-time in four Premier League wins this season. Manchester United have conceded before half-time in just one of their 12 Premier League wins this season.