Crystal Palace are currently on a two-game skid as they host the Red Devils at Selhurst Park on October 31, Saturday. The Eagles lost a close 0-1 match against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium last Saturday to drop to the seventh spot in the overall standings after weeks of being in the top five.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy found the back of the net at the 59th minute to help his team escape with the home win while they kept their opponents scoreless all throughout the game. Alan Pardew’s side had no offensive answer for the Foxes’ defensive pressure that day as they lost their second straight game and fourth in their last six outings overall.
Meanwhile, United were engaged in a titanic Manchester Derby with league-leading Manchester City in their last game. The teams ended up with a goalless draw at Old Trafford to gain a point each in the league table.
With the draw, the Red Devils dropped to fourth place behind West Ham United. City kept the top spot even if they are tied with Arsenal’s 16 points as the team is ahead of the Gunners via goal differential. Louis van Gaal and his squad are keen on redeeming themselves in this game versus Crystal Palace and it looks like they will pull off a walkover after consecutive defeats by their opponents.
Team News
Crystal Palace:
Midfielder Yohan Cabaye is still unsure of playing the game against United after missing the defeat to Manchester City in the Capital One Cup. Jason Puncheon, Connor Wickham, Maraoune Chamakh, Pape Souare and Kwesi Appiah also sat out the same game because of injury. All of them are doubtful for Saturday’s game and there are concerns even about Yannick Bolasie as he is suffering from a head injury.
Manchester United:
United were dumped out of the League Cup by Championship side Middlesbrough; losing 3-1 on penalties at Old Trafford after the game finished goalless after 120 minutes. Manager Van Gaal made nine changes to his team from the derby draw with City, with the Dutch coach admitting that the fitness of some of his players is an issue.
Interesting Facts:
– Crystal Palace have never won a Barclays Premier League match against Manchester United, drawing two and losing 10, including each of the last four.
– Of current BPL teams, Crystal Palace’s 12-match winless streak against Man Utd is the joint-longest run without victory against a single opponent in the division (level with Palace v Southampton).
– Palace’s last league victory against Man Utd was a 3-0 success on the last day of the 1990/91 campaign.
– Crystal Palace have lost four of their last six BPL matches.
– Three of the four goals that Palace have scored in their last six league matches have been penalties from Yohan Cabaye.
– Louis van Gaal’s Man Utd have lost just one of their last six league matches (W4 D1 L1), keeping three clean sheets in the process.
– Juan Mata scored in both of United’s BPL matches against Palace last season.
League Head To Head:
09/05/2015 Premier League 2014/2015 Crystal Palace 1 – 2 Manchester United
08/11/2014 Premier League 2014/2015 Manchester United 1 – 0 Crystal Palace
22/02/2014 Premier League 2013/2014 Crystal Palace 0 – 2 Manchester United
14/09/2013 Premier League 2013/2014 Manchester United 2 – 0 Crystal Palace
30/11/2011 League Cup 2011/2012 Manchester United 1 – 1 Crystal Palace
05/03/2005 Premier League 2004/2005 Crystal Palace 0 – 0 Manchester United
Key Players
Crystal Palace: Frazier Campbell
With so many injuries plaguing the team, and the previous defeats against Leicester City and Manchester City, Alan Pardew would want to focus on the attack and hence, Campbell would have to assume responsibility for the same against Manchester United. If United’s defence falters, Campbell must be diligent enough to use the opportunity and strike.
Manchester United: Morgan Schneiderlin
In the last game, Schneiderlin played well and looked dependable enough, even though United failed to convert their possession to chances. The second half was a bit better, maybe Moscow were a little tired, and they kept the ball and made them run a lot and then had some chances in the second half. They could have played a bit more direct, and that is something that could be expected from the game against Palace as Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger settle things in the midfield.
Prediction:
I predict a 2-0 win for Manchester United. Sorry, Palace fans, but Manchester United is more likely to emerge as the victor on Saturday.
