Manchester United will be trying to keep the pressure on fourth-placed Arsenal with a win over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Wednesday. If they win, the Red Devils will move just one point behind Arsena, who will play on Thursday against West Brom. However, both Man United and Palace will also be thinking about the weekend as they have FA Cup semi-finals coming up, with United facing Everton and the Eagles taking on Watford. Manchester United have never lost a league match against Crystal Palce, they have 10 wins and 3 draws. This season's reverse fixture ended goalless, but Palace dominated that match and deserved to win.
Last weekend Manchester United squeezed past already relegated Aston Villa, they only managed to win 1-0 thanks to yet another goal from youngster Marcus Rashford. That was the 7th goal in 12 matches for the young striker. They grabbed the three points though, and with Arsenal dropping points on their end the Red Devils closed the gap to the top four. Such an achievement would not necessarily make peace between the fans and manager Louis van Gaal, but it should eliminate most of the pressure. Louis van Gaal might rest some players for the weekend, especially Rashford, leaving space for Wayne Rooney to make his comeback.
Crystal Palace are not safe from relegation yet, they might need a few more points to make sure. Last weekend they secured a 1-1 draw at Arsenal, which left them nine points clear of the relegation zone, but with Sunderland having a game in hand. They won just one of their last 17 league matches in a forgettable second half of the season, but they did manage to reach the last four in the FA Cup. Joel Ward, Joe Ledley, Yannick Bolasie and Scott Dann are all injured for Palace. Brede Hangeland will have to pass a late fitness test before making his return to the team.
Probable line-ups:
Man Utd: De Gea - Fosu-Mensah, Smalling, Blind, Rojo - Schneiderlin, Fellaini, Lingard, Mata, Martial - Rooney
Crystal Palace: Hennessey - Ward, Mariappa, Delaney, Souare - McArthur, Jedinak, Zaha, Puncheon, Sako - Adebayor
My prediction: Man United to win 1-0.
Here are the odds for the match at Bet365:
Man United win - 1.50 Draw - 4.50 Crystal Palace win - 7.50
sharpe
7 years ago
United looking like a team which don't deserved a top four place all season long so it's the FA cup who always looked the more important tournament for the club. In fact now we know that those two teams will meat in the FA cup final and I think Palace would have their chances in that game, still it's very doubtful for me...
United looking like a team which don't deserved a top four place all season long so it's the FA cup who always looked the more important tournament for the club. In fact now we know that those two teams will meat in the FA cup final and I think Palace would have their chances in that game, still it's very doubtful for me if United could win the cup.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.
Alexa Alexa 8 years ago
This match was really important for United ,cause they needed the win to continue their chase for the spot that leads in the Champions League.They made an easy win and they are again only 2 points behind Manchester City.United is playing better and better and if they dont sign Mourinho,I can see them again with Louis Van...
This match was really important for United ,cause they needed the win to continue their chase for the spot that leads in the Champions League.They made an easy win and they are again only 2 points behind Manchester City.United is playing better and better and if they dont sign Mourinho,I can see them again with Louis Van Gaal on the bench.
Show morePlease enter your comment.
Your comment is added.