Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Preview – Prediction, how to watch & potential line-ups

Manchester United’s pursuit of another top-four finish in the Premier League continues on Saturday as mid-table Crystal Palace arrive at Old Trafford. 

Anthony Martial and Fred netted two unanswered second-half goals to hand the Red Devils a comfortable 2-0 home win over Nottingham Forest in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie.

An overwhelming aggregate 5-0 victory catapulted Man United into the cup final for the first time since winning the trophy in 2016/17, with Newcastle United awaiting them at Wembley Stadium later this month.

Back to the Premier League after a fortnight of cup duties, Erik ten Hag’s men are looking to bounce back from a late 3-2 defeat at leaders Arsenal last time out. 

Four points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand, the hosts are pre-match favourites as they aim to avenge a heartbreaking 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture in mid-January. 

Michael Olise’s last-gasp free-kick cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ first-half opener at Selhurst Park, helping Palace hold Man Utd winless for the fourth time in five Premier League encounters (W2, D2). 

Patrick Vieira’s side may have avoided defeat in that match, but they come into the matchday winless in four straight league games (D2, L2), drawing a blank three times in the process. 

Match Preview

Manchester United

Old Trafford has been an unbreachable fortress in its strictest sense of late, with ten Hag’s high-flyers winning their last 12 home outings in all competitions, including five in the Premier League.

Although it’s been almost six years since Man Utd last enjoyed a longer winning home streak in the league, they cannot underestimate their visitors, based on their recent duels at the Theatre of Dreams. 

The Red Devils have dropped points in three of their last four home meetings with Palace in the Premier League (W1, D1, L2) after doing so four times in their first 21 matches against them at Old Trafford (W17, D2, L2). 

Crystal Palace

The World Cup break did no good to Palace’s effort to climb up the ladder in the Premier League, with Vieira’s side picking up just one win in six league games since club football’s resumption in December (D2, L3). 

However, the Eagles have proved hard to beat lately, following up the abovementioned stalemate against Man Utd with a goalless draw at Newcastle United on their last league travel. 

A lack of firepower has been a problem for Palace on the road this season, as they’ve averaged just 0.78 goals per away league match, opening the scoring only once in their last seven such contests.

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Potential Line-ups

Manchester United (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw; Casemiro, Fred; Antony, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Wout Weghorst. 

Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Vicente Guaita; Nathaniel Clyne, Chris Richards, Marc Guehi, Tyrick Mitchell; Eberechi Eze, Cheick Doucoure, Jeffrey Schlupp; Michael Olise, Odsonne Edouard, Jordan Ayew. 

How to Watch?

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace, alongside all other fixtures in England’s top flight, is available to watch online via live Premier League streams.

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace Prediction 

While the share in the spoils in the reverse fixture witnessed an evenly-contested affair, especially in the second half, we expect Man Utd to pick up three points routinely here. 

Given United’s outstanding home form and Palace’s well-documented struggles on the road, this should be a one-sided encounter. 

Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace