Crystal Palace v Manchester United: Another loss for Eagles

Dan Fitch
13 December 2016

Will Zlatan Ibrahimovic add to his tally when Manchester United play Crystal Palace?

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Manchester United finally won a home Premier League game over the weekend and Dan Fitch expects them to claim another three points at Crystal Palace...

"Palace were losing at half-time to Hull on Saturday and have lost HT/FT in five of their last eight games."

Back Manchester United to win half-time/full-time at 2.789/5

Crystal Palace v Manchester United
Wednesday, 20:00
Live On BT Sports 1

Crystal Palace

Alan Pardew's side are now unbeaten in two games, but they came perilously close to defeat on Saturday.

Having tipped Hull in the Draw No Bet market, I was looking forward to collecting my winnings until an 89th minute equaliser from Fraizer Campbell saw only my stake returned. The 3-3 draw won Palace a point and helps to build momentum, but Pardew will surely be concerned that his defence conceded three times, so soon after letting in five at Swansea.

With Manchester United's visit set to be followed by matches against Chelsea and Arsenal over the festive period, the three-point cushion that separates Palace from the relegation zone looks very slim. This is especially true considering that Sunderland, Hull and Swansea have all started to pick up points of late.

Pardew will be without Jason Puncheon through suspension, as well as long-term casualties Loic Remy, Pape Souare, and Conner Wickham. Bakery Sako and James Tomkins are also doubts, having missed the match with Hull.

Manchester United

Jose Mourinho's side became only the second team to beat Spurs in the Premier League this season, as they pulled off a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.

The victory was United's first in three league games and broke a run without a home win that dated back to September. It saw them cut the gap on not just Tottenham, but also their rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, who both dropped points this weekend.

More importantly for Mourinho, his team are really starting to gel. There is solidity in the back four, with Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo looking transformed. Michael Carrick is offering protection in midfield, while further forward Henrikh Mkhitarayan and Paul Pogba have found form and are providing pace and power to the attack.

Mourinho will be without Mkhitarayan for the trip to Selhurst Park, after the Armenian picked up an ankle knock against Spurs. Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling are also injured, while Antonio Valencia is suspended.

Match Odds

Manchester United are the favourites at 1.728/11, with the draw at 4.1 and Crystal Palace at 5.79/2.

The away win is tempting but the price is perhaps a little too slim for a United team that have drawn so much of late.

Instead look towards the Half-Time/Full-Time market where United are priced at 2.789/5. Palace were losing at half-time to Hull on Saturday and have lost HT/FT in five of their last eight games.

Over/Under 2.5 Goals

Over 2.5 goals is the favourite here at 1.875/6, with unders out at 2.0811/10.

Each sides' stats somewhat contradict each other in this market. Crystal Palace's last seven games have all seen over three goals or more scored, but Manchester United have been involved in four successive Premier League matches with under 2.5 goals.

A slightly safer bet could be the 1.8810/11 for Both Teams To Score. Though United's defence is improving, Palace have scored ten goals in their last three games.

To Score

Christian Benteke found the net against Hull to take his tally to four in his last three games. In that sort of form his likely price of around 3.55/2 to score, looks too big.

So too does the 2.3811/8 for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to score again. The Swede didn't add to his tally against Tottenham on Sunday, but has five goals in his last five appearances.

Recommended Bets

Back Manchester United to win half-time/full-time at 2.789/5
Back both teams to score at 1.8810/11
Back Ibrahimovic to score at 2.3811/8