Crystal Palace vs Manchester United
Crystal Palace return to Selhurst Park on Wednesday after a narrow defeat at Stamford
Bridge against Chelsea on Sunday.
Patrick Vieira’s men were much improved and created several chances and, on another day,
would have returned to south London with a point. Vieira bemoaned slack finishing and
admitted that confidence in his side had been hit.
Four defeats in the last five Premier League games has seen Palace slip down the table.
And the probable omission of Joachim Andersen will be a blow against United.
Anderson was replaced in the first half against Chelsea and his potential absence will be a
big blow for the hosts.
Palace have also been struggling to score goals too, with just two goals scored (against
Bournemouth) in the last five games.
It does not bode well against a United side who are chasing their 10th consecutive win.
United have got the wind in their sails and their charge has been led by Marcus Rashford,
who has scored in all four games since the World Cup.
There is a question mark over Rashford’s fitness though after taking a blow against City last
time out. Anthony Martial is also a doubt, but new signing Wout Weghorst is available.
In fact Erik ten Hag is likely to shuffle his pack with Casemiro and Fred one booking away
from suspension before the cards are wiped clean. And with Arsenal up next at the
weekend, the former may well be given the night off.
Palace do have a decent record against United. Manchester United have failed to score on
their last two visits to SE25 with Palace winning three of the last six meetings between the
teams.
But that good run looks set to come to an end with United fancied to get over the line and
continue their push.
Key stats
- Man Utd have won their last five PL matches
- Man Utd have won their last nine matches in all competitions
- There have been over 2.5 goals scored in five of Man Utd’s last six PL games
- Crystal Palace have seen under 2.5 goals in their last three home matches against Man Utd in all competitions
- Crystal Palace have lost four of their last five PL games
Manchester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
A quick look at both teams’ recent form and we can only conclude that goals will be on the
agenda on Thursday.
Man City have seen over 2.5 goals in 12 of their last 14 home games with Spurs, while every
Premier League home game this season, bar the recent 1-1 draw with Everton has seen the
overs land.
City have conceded at home in their last four games, including the 2-1 defeat to Brighton.
Spurs for their part have a rearguard that has conceded at least two goals in eight of their
last nine games.
The chances of a shut-out from either side look low and both teams to score looks a good
shout at a shade odds on.
For City they will be desperate to get back on track with three points after a run of strange
results. Defeats to Brentford and Man Utd and Southampton in the EFL Cup have knocked
Pep Guardiola’s men out of their stride.
Guardiola bemoaned City’s inability to get Erling Haaland on the ball in defeat at Old
Trafford. City were hard done by with Bruno Fernandes’ controversial goal being awarded.
City were not bad in defeat, but they will still look for an improvement against Spurs.
Whether Pep will tinker with City’s style remains to be seen but going more quickly into
Haaland may surprise Spurs.
They also lost a derby match at the weekend, but they were comprehensively defeated 2-0
by Arsenal.
Antonio Conte is feeling the heat after five league defeats in their last nine games, and all is
not well in north London.
It would take even the staunchest fan to take the 7/1 about a Spurs win, but they did triumph
3-2 at The Etihad last season.
Conversely, getting stuck into the 1/3 on a City side who are stumbling also looks fraught
with danger. Of course City look the most likely to win it, but going for goals looks the way.
Key stats
- Man City have seen over 2.5 goals in 12 of their last 14 home matches against Tottenham in all competitions
- Tottenham have conceded at least two goals in eight of their last nine PL matches
- Last season Tottenham Hotspur won both games against Man City
- Manchester City have scored in all nine PL home matches this season
- Tottenham Hotspur have scored in eight of their nine away PL matches this season.
