Crystal Palace
Man United
3 March 2021
20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Premier League
Selhurst Park
After playing out a goalless draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, Manchester United will be aiming to keep their title hopes alive when they take on Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday evening.
The Red Devils failed to win the previous three away games in the Premier League, but it has to be noted that they are undefeated on the road in the 2020/21 season.
Anthony Martial should be recalled to the starting XI, while Paul Pogba and Juan Mata remain in the recovery room.
Uruguay international Edinson Cavani is a major doubt. The Eagles, on the other hand, produced a poor display in a goalless draw with Fulham, and given the number of absentees in the home team, we are tempted to put our money on the title-chasing visitors. It has to be noted that Palace had no more than three goal attempts in the draw with Scott Parker’s troops.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United: Head-to-head (h2h)
Teams Crystal Palace Manchester United played so far 20 matches.
Crystal Palace won 3 direct matches. Manchester United won 14 matches. 3 matches ended in a draw. On average in direct matches both teams scored a 2.60 goals per Match.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester United Prediction
Crystal Palace in actual season average scored 1.13 goals per match. In 13 (81.25%) matches played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 7 (43.75%) matches in season 2021 played at home was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Manchester United average scored 2.02 goals per match in season 2021. In 15 (75.00%) matches played away was total goals (team and opponent) Over 1.5 goals. In 14 (70.00%) matches played away team was total goals (team and opponent) Over 2.5 goals.
Team News:
Manchester United were able to include Scott McTominay, Daniel James and Donny van de Beek in their matchday squad on Sunday after the trio all overcame minor knocks.
Edinson Cavani was once again absent with a muscle problem, but the veteran striker has now returned to training and is expected to be in contention for this game.
However, Solskjaer is unlikely to take any risks over his fitness with the Manchester derby just around the corner, and if there is any doubt over a lingering injury then either Mason Greenwood or Anthony Martial will lead the line.
Wednesday's match will come too soon for Paul Pogba, while Juan Mata and Phil Jones remain out too, but Solskjaer could opt to make changes to his side with one eye on the derby.
Eric Bailly, Alex Telles, Dean Henderson and Nemanja Matic are among the players knocking on the door, while Van de Beek, who scored his only Man United goal on his debut in the reverse fixture, will be hopeful of some game time too.
Hodgson voiced his frustration at having this match "thrust" upon his team at relatively short notice due to fixture rescheduling, particularly as it will likely prevent Wilfried Zaha from facing his former club.
The winger scored twice in the reverse fixture and has now returned to training, with Hodgson predicting that he will be back "very, very soon", although Wednesday's match may still come too early.
Zaha's probable absence is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Palace's injury troubles too, with the Eagles missing seven other first-team players for this match.
Tyrick Mitchell is the latest to join that list, which also includes Nathaniel Clyne, Mamadou Sakho, Wayne Hennessey and James Tomkins.
James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson have now entered the final stages of their recoveries, but this match will come too soon for either to feature.
There is more positive news when it comes to Connor Wickham and Jeffrey Schlupp, though, with both players back in contention for this match.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Guaita; Ward, Kouyate, Cahill, Van Aanholt; Milivojevic, Riedewald; Townsend, Eze, Ayew; Mateta
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Telles; Matic, Fred; James, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani.
Match officials
Referee: Andre Marriner. Assistants: Scott Ledger, Marc Perry. Fourth official: Kevin Friend. VAR: Mike Dean. Assistant VAR: Stephen Child.