When Manchester United takes on Crystal Palace on Wednesday at Selhurst Park in the Premier League, they will attempt to win for the tenth time in a row across all competitions.
In Saturday’s derby, the Red Devils defeated bitter rivals Manchester City 2-1, while Patrick Vieira’s team lost 1-0 to Chelsea in their local matchup in London.
With 64 minutes remaining, Kai Havertz scored the game’s only goal, sending Crystal Palace to their third consecutive defeat in all competitions after losing to Southampton in the FA Cup last week.
During the fall, Vieira’s Palace team had a lot to like, but as the weather has gotten colder, the Eagles have had trouble getting results. They are 12th in the table, six points behind the top half, but they still have a game in hand on Chelsea.
Even though Vieira admitted that his team’s performance made him angry, the Eagles boss had a few issues with referee Peter Bankes at Stamford Bridge. However, Vieira must now put off his complaints about the officials as he tries to get Palace to just their second win in six Premier League games.
The Eagles have lost four of their last five games in the Premier League, failing to score and only beating Bournemouth in the process. However, the hosts have not lost three straight games at Selhurst Park without scoring since September 2017.
In Saturday’s Manchester derby, Jack Grealish gave Man City the lead with a goal, but Bruno Fernandes controversially equalized after Marcus Rashford was found not to have been interfering with play. This was the latest bizarre interpretation of the offside rule.
After that, the England international scored an excellent goal in the dying moments to turn the game at Old Trafford on its head and secure Man United’s ninth victory in a row across all competitions. Now that they have closed the gap on the defending champions, Man United’s fans may be able to dream of winning the Premier League.
Ten Hag’s team fell to fourth in the rankings on Sunday after Fulham was defeated by Newcastle United, who are only ahead of Man City on goal difference. However, Man City is only one point ahead of their rivals, and there is still a nine-point gap between them and leaders Arsenal.
When the Red Devils come to the Emirates this weekend, the Gunners may be able to extend their lead over Man United to double digits, but a win on Wednesday would be enough to propel Ten Hag’s team into second place for the time being.
Ten Hag watched from the stands with a glum expression as Crystal Palace beat Man United 1-0 at Selhurst Park on the final weekend of last season. The hosts have only lost twice in their last six encounters with their esteemed visitors. This is the first time Man United has won 10 games in a row in all tournaments since the time of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2009.
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The ever-present center-back Joachim Andersen went off in the first half with a calf problem, adding injury to Palace’s defeat to Chelsea. Vieira is unsure of Dane’s condition at this time, though.
While James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson, both of whom have been out for a while, and Anderson are also in the hospital, Vieira doesn’t have any other issues to deal with on Wednesday, when Wilfried Zaha will start against his former employers.
James Tomkins should take Andersen’s place in the backline, and Zaha has already scored three Premier League goals against Man United. With a fourth, he could set a new record for players who have played for the 20-time English champions.
Anthony Martial had to leave at halftime with an unspecified injury for Man United, and Marcus Rashford sustained a hip injury but was able to play until the end of the game.
The visitors are without Donny van de Beek, Axel Tuanzebe, and Jadon Sancho, and it is unlikely that Diogo Dalot, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury, will play. As a result, former Eagles right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka should start.
If Martial’s latest injury prevents him from playing, Antony will likely be called back to the starting lineup. Lisandro Martinez was only used as a substitute in the derby as he got back into shape from the World Cup, but the Argentine should be in the running for a start here.
Wout Weghorst, a Burnley loanee, should also be in with a chance of making his full debut with Martial out, but the Dutchman will probably be put on the bench here.
The possible starting lineup for Crystal Palace:
Guaita; Mitchell, Clyne, Tomkins, and Guehi; Eze, Schlupp, Doucoure; Zaha, Mateta, and Olise could be the starting lineup for Manchester United:
De Gea; Varane, Wan-Bissaka, Martinez, and Shaw; Casemiro Fred; Eriksen, Antony, and Fernandes; Rashford Players to watch Crystal Palace Wilfried Zaha Zaha is Palace’s most productive player and a difference-maker who can change a game. He was a problem for Chelsea and can beat defenders with great confidence; He hopes to start Palace on a winning streak and will be a major concern for United.
Casemiro of Manchester United Many people questioned Casemiro’s abilities when he first joined United, but ever since he played a full game, he has been a regular starter. The former Real Madrid star has become one of Ten Hag’s most important players and will undoubtedly have an impact on the team.
Facts about the match
Manchester United has won five of their last eight away games. If they win this one, they will be able to match their streak of winning 10 away games through 2020.
In their last three home games, Crystal Palace has lost 0-3 (0-3 to Fulham and 0-4 to Spurs).
Zaha has scored three goals in matches against United, and if he scores on Wednesday, he will become the team’s all-time leading scorer.
Joachim Andersen was forced to leave the game against Chelsea due to injury, joining long-term absentees James McArthur and Nathan Ferguson. Rashford played the entire game for United despite gripping his hamstring while the rest of the team was getting ready to start the game. Martial was replaced at halftime for an unidentified reason. Donny van de Beek, Axel Tuanzebe, and Jadon Sancho remain sidelined. Additionally, loanee Wout Weghorst may play in this match, and Diogo Dalot will return from his hamstring injury.
Prediction for the match:
Crystal Palace 0-2 Manchester United. The potential loss of Andersen is a devastating blow to a team that has not been able to shut the back door at home over the winter. Palace has been something of a bogey team for Man United in recent memory.
Even with Zaha having a point to prove, we strongly anticipate that Ten Hag’s team will extend their winning streak into double figures with a clean sheet if Man United can score first. The in-form Red Devils can feel confident of keeping the goal-shy Eagles at bay if Man United can score first.
