Game Week 22: Manchester United to beat Crystal Palace

Game Week 22: Manchester United to beat Crystal Palace - Premier League preview, betting tips, analysis

United must keep up the pace at the top while Palace must halt the rot, who will have the last smile? (Photo credit: Sporting)

Manchester United vs Crystal Palace

Old Trafford

4:00pm

United fans must be excited right now following their great run. Manchester United is the only English team that is still alive in all competitions including the premier league title race.

Erik Ten Hag’s men booked a place in the Carabao Cup final having dispatched Nottingham Forest 5-0 on aggregate and will now play Newcastle in the final later in February. It is the first final the Red Devils will play since 2017.

Crystal Palace continues to swing between quality and mediocrity this season and you can’t pick apart anything of note in their performances. 

The last gasp point earned against Manchester United is the only heartwarming news for the Eagles and from here on, something has to change.

Wilfred Zaha hasn’t been in his fine form and there’s no striker of note at Palace.

Jordan Ayew can’t lead your line and you’ll feel you have it all together; the good ideas from Michael Olise and Ebere Eze amount to something but to what end?

Marcus Rashford scooped the premier league player of the month award for the second time this season following his impressive January.

But many would have thought Riyad Mahrez had better stats, the United forward would be on ground to torture the Eagles all afternoon.

How will Palace line up? 

Three losses and two draws in their last five games show they must start earning points, hence a need for Patrick Vieira to be brave and attempt to hold United by their balls, fortune favours the brave most times.

United can unleash their loan signing Marcel Sabitzer who was signed as a result of the injury to Christian Eriksen. 

Fred and Casemiro are the other midfield options alongside a resurgent Bruno Fernandes, United won’t have any excuse.

The incentives are quite clear, a win moves Manchester United up to third at least until the Magpies plays later in the day against Westham.

While they would also cut the lead of City to three points in second until the champions play Tottenham at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Arsenal could be completely out of sight by the time United plays Palace, a win is the only result that would do it for Ten Hag’s side considering the chasing pack behind them but does Palace want to keep regressing?

Verdict: United to win.