Game Week 5 Predictions: United to beat Palace at Selhurst

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United preview: analysis, key players, and tactics. Both teams seek momentum, United aims to build on their recent win.

Manchester United will seek to avoid the type of embarrassment they suffered in the hands of Crystal Palace last season when the two sides meet at Selhurst Park on Saturday. (Photo credit: Opta)

 Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United

Selhurst Park

5:30pm

Manchester United beat Southampton last weekend, a result that has grown positive belief in the Red Devils, and they will look to build on that when they travel to Crystal Palace.

The Eagles haven't had the kind of start they had hoped for, as they have yet to win a game this season. They owe a point to a controversial refereeing decision in their most recent game against Leicester City, where they trailed by two goals before Jean Phillippe Meteta's double salvaged a point.

The two sides haven’t impressed this season. You can applaud United for their 1-0 gritty win over Fulham on day 1. It was a favorable result, but their next two were poor defeats, first to Brighton away before they lost shamelessly at home to Liverpool.

You’re free to imagine what happens last weekend if Cameron Archer had scored from the spot when he had the chance to send the Saints in front; the penalty save was the shot in the arm the visitors needed, and the rest is history.

Palace lost a few players in the summer; their replacements have yet to hit the ground running, which is why they only have two points in four games. They must attend this game to avoid spending the rest of the season fighting relegation.

How will they both approach this? Palace will be cautious, but if they want to take all three points from this game, they must be brave. They must face a fragile Manchester United and take their chances when they get them.

United defeated Barnsley in the League Cup; they have restored Marcus Rashford's scoring form; he is a player on the rise; if he scores again in this fixture, you can be confident that he will continue to score consistently for a while before his current streak ends.

Palace will play through Ebere Eze; the England midfielder is their best player at the moment, and, as long as they keep him fit, he will come excellent for them. Mateta is another player who could upset the visitors on Saturday.

Crystal Palace will look at last season's results and nurse some hope; they beat Manchester United 4-0 in this fixture last season. They don’t have the form, but they can find the will to do it again if United doesn’t get their acts right.

Verdict: United to win.