Crystal Palace v Man Utd preview: United looking to bounce back
Saturday 31 October 2015 14:10, UK
Louis van Gaal will be looking for a response from his Manchester United side after their shock Capital One Cup exit when they take on Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Despite making nine changes to the team that was held in the disappointing Manchester derby stalemate last weekend, United still fielded a strong team against Championship side Middlesbrough on Wednesday night, but they were sent crashing out of the competition on penalties, with Wayne Rooney among those who failed from the spot.
United's league form has been inconsistent of late, with their previous good work undone by a lacklustre display in a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal, but Van Gaal's men are just two points behind rivals Manchester City at the top of the table.
Paul Scholes has been critical of the style of play that United have produced so far this season, with Rooney's struggles in particular starting to cause unrest among the United faithful.
Despite a woeful Premier League record against United, Palace represent a tough challenge at home, with the Eagles sitting just five points behind United in seventh.
However, three defeats in a row in all competitions, including a 5-1 loss against Manchester City in the Capital One Cup in midweek, means United will fancy their chances of getting back to winning ways at Selhurst Park.
Team news
Jason Puncheon will be fit for Palace, while Yohan Cabaye needs a late fitness check. Puncheon missed the midweek defeat at City through illness and fellow midfielder Cabaye sat out with a knock.
Full-backs Pape Souare and Joel Ward are short of fitness and strikers Marouane Chamakh (hamstring) and Connor Wickham (calf) remain out.
United will be without injured trio Memphis Depay, Antonio Valencia and James Wilson. Memphis and Wilson were both injured in the Capital One Cup defeat to Middlesbrough while Valencia hurt his foot in the Manchester derby last weekend.
Ashley Young is pushing for a recall after coming off the bench against Middlesbrough having missed the previous three games, while Luke Shaw and Paddy McNair are long-term absentees.
Opta stats
Crystal Palace have never won a Premier League game against Manchester United, drawing two and losing 10 (including each of the last four).
Manchester United have failed to find the back of the net on just one of their six PL visits to Selhurst Park to play Palace, netting 10 goals in total.
Of current PL teams, Crystal Palace's total of 12 games without winning against Man Utd is the joint-longest 0% win rate against a single opponent in the division (level with Palace v Southampton).
Palace last tasted victory against United in league competition back in May 1991; courtesy of a 3-0 home win on the last day of the season.
The Eagles have managed a total of just one goal in their last five top-tier clashes with the Red Devils and have failed to score in nine of the 12 PL clashes overall.
Crystal Palace have lost four of their last six Premier League games, netting a total of just four goals in the process.
Merson's prediction
The Manchester derby was poor last weekend and to then go out of the cup to Middlesbrough only made things worse. United are lacking the consistency and they need to get back to winning ways, I just don't see it happening this weekend.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
Betting
Manchester United are 21/20 with Sky Bet to bounce back from their midweek Capital One Cup upset at home to Middlesbrough by securing three points at 5/2 shots Crystal Palace. United trail Manchester City by two points in the title race and are 13/2 to pip their neighbours to the crown. Louis van Gaal's men won this fixture 2-1 last season and Sky Bet offer 15/2 for a repeat of that outcome, while a United win with both teams scoring is a 3/1 shot. Despite his poor form, Wayne Rooney heads the first goalscorer betting at 9/2 and is 13/8 to fit the net anytime.
