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Can Carrick’s flying United handle Glasner’s Palace curveball at Old Trafford? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Read Rationale ▾
Manchester United are in superb league form, taking 16 points from 18. While their attack is clinical, they remain vulnerable to counter-attacks. Crystal Palace possess a significant aerial threat and direct attacking speed, making them highly likely to find the net even in an Old Trafford defeat.
Read Rationale ▾
United secured a 1-0 win in their last outing but often concede chances. Palace have scored in the majority of their matches and Glasner’s direct style should puncture United’s backline once. A competitive 2-1 home win aligns with United’s heavy shot volume and Palace’s defensive aerial resilience.
Readers’ Tip
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Old Trafford has a bit of theatre to it on Sunday. Manchester United are in the kind of league rhythm that makes opponents breathe shallowly, while Crystal Palace arrive with European momentum.
Man Utd vs Crystal Palace — bet365 Market Snapshot
Swipe for key stats and sample bet365 odds for Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford.
United’s hot league form makes them heavy home favourites against a Palace side that often struggles for possession.
United’s high shot volume suggests an open match, despite Palace’s preference for a tighter defensive structure.
A single-goal United victory is common, but Palace’s aerial strength at set-pieces often results in a consolation goal.
Palace win significantly more aerial duels than United, making set-pieces a critical tactical avenue for the visitors.
Match Preview
Michael Carrick has steadied the ship and then some. A gritty 1-0 win at Everton kept United fourth, three points clear of both Chelsea and Liverpool, and within three points of third-placed Aston Villa. Palace, led by Oliver Glasner, won’t come to admire the stadium. They’ll come to make it awkward, stretch the game with direct bursts, and test whether United’s slick chance creation can handle a side that loves a scrap in the air.
Kick-off is at 14:00.
Attacking Volume: Shots per League Game
United’s aggressive approach sees them test goalkeepers frequently, while Palace maintain a respectable output on the counter.
Carrick’s side prioritises through balls and middle-channel attacks to generate shooting opportunities.
Palace rely on direct launches and quick transitions to create their attacking moments.
Physical Edge: Aerial Duels Won
The battle for high balls could be where Palace find their way back into the game.
United prefer the ball on the deck, boasting higher possession and passing accuracy.
Glasner’s men use their physical presence to disrupt play and win second balls.
Team News & Probable Lineups
Manchester United
No specific injuries or suspensions are listed.
Manchester United probable XI:
Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Maguire, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Mbeumo, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko
Implication: United’s front four has punch and variety. With Bruno Fernandes feeding Benjamin Šeško and runners like Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha buzzing around, this looks built for sustained pressure — but United can be weak defending counter attacks, so turnovers matter.
Crystal Palace
No specific injuries or suspensions are listed.
Crystal Palace probable XI:
Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Lacroix; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Sarr, Guessand; Strand Larsen
Implication: Palace look set for a three-at-the-back platform and quick launches. The blend of Ismaïla Sarr and Jørgen Strand Larsen suggests they’ll try to turn moments into shots fast — but Palace can be weak at keeping possession and finishing scoring chances, so they need their best moments to count.
Tale of the Tape
| Metric (Premier League) | Manchester United | Crystal Palace |
|---|---|---|
| League position | 4th | — |
| Points gap context | +3 on Chelsea & Liverpool | — |
| Goals scored (apps) | 48 (27) | 29 (27) |
| Shots per game | 15.9 | 11.9 |
| Possession | 53.0% | 44.9% |
| Pass accuracy | 82.7% | 77.7% |
| Aerials won | 16.7 | 19.3 |
United’s numbers scream control: more possession, sharper passing, heavier shot volume, and a big goal return. Palace counter with a different weapon — they win more in the air, and they can make the match messy in the zones where clean build-up dies.
Tactical Analysis
United’s central control vs Palace’s direct punch
Carrick’s United want the ball and they want it with intent. The style is possession football, plenty of shots, and frequent through balls, with an emphasis on attacking through the middle. That’s backed up by strengths in creating scoring chances and creating chances using through balls — the kind of profile that pins teams back and forces defensive lines into constant decision-making.
This is where Fernandes becomes the headline act. Twelve assists tells you United don’t just shoot — they carve. If Palace’s midfield line gets dragged towards the ball, the gaps behind it are exactly where Fernandes and Cunha can feed Šeško early, before the centre-backs are set.
Palace’s aerial edge and the “make it ugly” plan
Glasner’s Palace bring a very different rhythm. They attack through the middle too, but the method is more direct: long balls, through balls, and a willingness to play in their own half before springing out. They’re also strong in aerial duels, which matters against a United side that can be ruffled when opponents play aggressively.
That points towards a key battle: Palace’s ability to turn clearances into second balls and territory. If Daniel Muñoz and Tyrick Mitchell can push on and keep the pitch stretched, United’s back line has to defend bigger spaces — and United’s weakness defending counters becomes a flashing warning sign.
Where the game tilts
If United score first, this can look like wave after wave: shots, set-piece pressure, and runners arriving late. If Palace land their aerial game early and win fouls in dangerous areas — another Palace weakness is avoiding those fouls — the match can swing into stop-start chaos where United’s flow gets punctured.
Key Elements to Watch
- The first burst from United: United are coming off a run of 16 points from 18. If they start fast, Palace may spend long stretches defending their box.
- Aerial duels and second balls: Palace’s 19.3 aerials won per game is a serious number. If they dominate that battle, they can turn defending into attacking territory quickly.
- Set-piece pressure: United are strong attacking set pieces, while Palace are weak defending them. That’s a classic friction point at Old Trafford.
- Protecting the lead: Both sides have “protecting the lead” listed as a weakness. If someone goes ahead early, the next phase could get twitchy.
Summary Stats
- United are the form-setters: Manchester United have taken 16 points from the last 18 in the league and are unbeaten since Boxing Day, setting a fierce tempo before Palace even settle.
- Shots, shots, shots: United fire 15.9 shots per game in the Premier League, while Palace aren’t shy either on 11.9, so the goalkeepers could have a busy afternoon.
- Fernandes is pulling strings: Bruno Fernandes has 12 assists and a 7.38 league rating, while Benjamin Šeško has seven league goals — including five in his last six league outings.
📊 Market Explainer
Match Result & BTTS
This market requires you to predict the winner of the match and whether both teams will score at least one goal. It is a popular way to increase the price on a strong favourite when they are prone to conceding.
Pros: Higher returns than a simple win. Cons: A clean sheet for the winner ruins the selection.
Correct Score
A prediction on the exact final scoreline after 90 minutes. This is a high-volatility market that rewards specific tactical foresight regarding game-state and defensive resilience.
Pros: High potential prices. Cons: Extremely sensitive to late goals or VAR decisions.
🎯 Pick 1: Man Utd to Win & Both Teams to Score
Manchester United enter this fixture in a rich vein of league form, having secured 16 points from their last 18 available. Under Michael Carrick, they have developed a clear identity built on central control and high shot volume, averaging 15.9 attempts per match. This attacking weight, led by the creative Bruno Fernandes and the clinical Benjamin Šeško, makes them significant favourites to secure another three points at Old Trafford. However, United have a documented weakness in defending counter-attacks, often leaving spaces for direct opponents to exploit when they commit numbers forward.
Crystal Palace are perfectly equipped to test this vulnerability. Oliver Glasner’s side averages 19.3 aerial wins per match and relies on direct attacking bursts through players like Ismaïla Sarr. Palace have scored 29 goals this season and remain a constant threat from set-pieces—a zone where United have shown recent fragility. Given that United’s style invites pressure and Palace possess the physical tools to capitalise on set-plays, a home win where both sides find the net is a highly plausible outcome based on the teams’ respective tactical profiles.
⚔️ Tactical Indicators
- United have taken 16 points from the last 18 available in the league.
- Crystal Palace win 19.3 aerial duels per match, a top-tier physical metric.
- Both teams have “protecting the lead” listed as a tactical weakness.
Risk Factor: A dominant defensive performance from Maguire and Yoro could lead to a United clean sheet, negating the BTTS portion of the selection.
Key Tactical Mismatch
Strong at attacking set-plays with heavy delivery volume from Fernandes.
Listed as a key weakness; vulnerable to conceding from corners and wide free-kicks.
🎯 Pick 2: Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace
The 2-1 scoreline is a natural reflection of the statistical divergence between these two sides. United average 1.77 goals per match across their campaign, while Palace have found the net in the vast majority of their league outings. United’s reliance on through balls and chance creation via Bruno Fernandes suggests they will breach the Palace defence at least twice, especially considering Palace’s struggle with finishing scoring chances which often keeps their goal tally low despite creating opportunities.
While United are the form team, their lack of a high clean sheet ratio and their vulnerability to counter-attacks suggests Palace will have joy on the break. Jørgen Strand Larsen provides a physical focal point that can trouble United’s backline in transition. Given both teams are noted for a weakness in protecting leads, a game that remains competitive until the final whistle is expected. A 2-1 result provides the balance between United’s superior shot volume and Palace’s ability to remain competitive through their aerial dominance.
Risk Factor: United’s tendency to fire high volumes of shots (15.9 per game) could result in a higher scoreline if Palace’s defence crumbles under sustained pressure.
❓ Interactive Q&A
⊕What is the Match Result & BTTS market?
The Match Result & BTTS market requires you to choose the winner of the game and correctly predict that both teams will score. Both parts of the bet must happen for the selection to be successful.
⊕How does United’s form impact the prediction?
United have taken 16 points from their last 18 league games. This high-level consistency suggests they are very likely to overcome a Palace side that often struggles to maintain possession.
⊕Why is Crystal Palace likely to score at Old Trafford?
Palace possess a major aerial advantage, winning 19.3 duels per match. United have shown a specific weakness in defending counter-attacks, which Palace’s direct style is built to exploit.
⊕What is a Correct Score bet?
A Correct Score bet is a wager on the final scoreline of the match after 90 minutes plus injury time. It requires an exact match between your prediction and the actual final result.
⊕Who are the key players for Manchester United?
Bruno Fernandes is the main creative hub with 12 assists, while Benjamin Šeško is the primary goal threat with 7 league goals this season.
⊕What are the tactical styles of both managers?
Michael Carrick employs a possession-based system with high shooting volume, whereas Oliver Glasner uses a more direct approach featuring long balls and aerial duels.
⊕Is this a high-scoring game statistically?
United fire 15.9 shots per game and Palace average 11.9. This high combined shot volume points towards an active match for both sets of attackers.
⊕What is United’s main defensive concern?
United are documented to be weak at defending counter-attacks. If they lose possession high up the pitch, Palace’s speed in transition could cause problems.
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