Match Previews

Match Preview: Manchester United vs Crystal Palace

The final international break of the calendar year is over and domestic football returns for the final winter stretch before the break is introduced.

Slipping down the table, Roy Hodgson’s men are looking for an up-turn in form; while José Mourinho is hoping to make the most of a favourable run of fixtures from now throughout the festive season.

A clash with only one outcome on the past six occasions will have plenty riding on it.

Kick-off: 15:00 [GMT]

Venue: Old Trafford

Referee: Lee Mason

The Eagles

Position: 16th

Form: LLDLL

Top scorer: Wilfried Zaha [3]

One to watch: Max Meyer

Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)

  • Christian Benteke – knee (two months)
  • Scott Dann – groin (two weeks)
  • Connor Wickham – thigh (two weeks)

Expected lineup

(4-3-3) Hennessey; Wan-Bissaka, Tomkins, Sakho, van Aanholt; Kouyaté, Milivojević, McArthur; Townsend, Zaha, Meyer.

Key quote

“I believe we are competitive and I believe in the players ability. What I see from our matches and what I see in training, that gives me confidence.” – Roy Hodgson

Next match: Burnley [A] 1/12/18

The Red Devils

Talking points

A dismal derby defeat will have most likely sucked significant confidence from the squad.

With the resurgent Luke Shaw out, the opportunity for fit-again Diogo Dalot has arisen to make his mark as Antonio Valencia is rumoured to still be on the naughty step.

Late calls on key players have likely affected the squad’s preparations for the game but no remaining injuries should fill Mourinho will some belief his side can claim all three points and maintain his 100% record against Palace when managing United.

Injuries/suspensions (estimated return)

  • Luke Shaw – yellow card accumulation (next game)

Expected lineup

(4-2-3-1) De Gea; Dalot, Smalling, Lindelöf, Young; Fellaini, Pogba; Rashford, Lingard, Martial; Sánchez.

Key quote

“The supporters cannot do more than they are already doing. We went through a difficult period and they were fantastic. In some matches they push the team to different levels.” – José Mourinho

Next match: BSC Young Boys [H] 27/11/18

Potential key battles

– Anthony Martial vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka

– Paul Pogba vs Luka Milivojević

– Chris Smalling vs Wilfried Zaha

Match facts [credit: FotMob]

  • United are unbeaten in their last 20 league games against Palace (W17 D3) since a 0-3 loss in May 1991
  • Palace have lost their last 11 league visits to Old Trafford – having failed to score on 10 occasions since a 2-1 win in December 1989 thanks to a Mark Bright brace
  • The Red Devils have conceded at least once in their last eight Premier League games – only once have they had a longer run without a clean sheet in the competition (nine games between August and October 1999)
  • The Eagles are winless in seven Premier League games (D2 L5) – having lost each of their last three away outings

Enjoy the match!



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