Man Utd vs Crystal Palace
Premier League 2019/20 season
Venue: Old Trafford
Date: Saturday, 24th August, 2019
Kick-off time: 3pm BST
Manchester United host Crystal Palace on Saturday with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's new-look side heavy favourites for a second home win of the season.
The optimism which flowed following United's 4-0 win over Chelsea eased slightly after a 1-1 draw at Wolves on Monday night, but the Red Devils are still three points better off from those corresponding fixtures last season.
But Solskjaer's side face a new kind of task on Saturday, and will have to show that they can break down sides who deploy a defensive gameplan - as Palace did in last season's Old Trafford stalemate.
Palace started the new season with a promising Selhurst Park stalemate against Everton, though a 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United suggests it could be another long campaign for Roy Hodgson's Eagles.
Team news and predicted lineups
Solskjaer dropped Andreas Pereira in favour of Daniel James for the draw at Wolves, though Solskjaer could be tempted to bring back the Brazilian after his strong showing last time around at Old Trafford against Chelsea.
With Palace likely to sit deep, Solskjaer may opt for Juan Mata's eye for a pass rather than the all-out pace of James on the flank. Other than that, the midfield and defence should stay much the same.
Eric Bailly is out until the New Year with a knee injury, while Alexis Sanchez and Marcos Rojo could join Inter Milan and Fenerbahce on loan respectively before Saturday.
As for Palace, Hodgson's only two absentees are James Tomkins (groin) and Mamadou Sakho (knee).
The veteran manager may opt for a tactical reshuffle following a limp 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United last time out, though his plans are likely to weight heavily on the pace of Wilfried Zaha on the counter.
Man Utd XI: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Pereira, McTominay, Pogba, Mata, Martial, Rashford
Palace XI: Guaita; Ward, Kelly, Dann, Van Aanholt; McArthur, Milivojevic; Schlupp, Townsend, Benteke, Zaha
Prediction: Man Utd 3-0 Crystal Palace
The Premier League is strong enough to throw up any sort of result these days, but it is difficult to see how Palace will leave Old Trafford with anything other than a defeat.
United have the pace to catch the Eagles on the counter, though it remains to be seen whether the hosts can pick the lock - especially if fans grow frustrated.
However, an early United goal should all but seal a result for Solskjaer's men.
Tickets
Click here for more information about Man Utd tickets.
Click here for more information about Palace tickets.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- Man Utd to win: 4/11
- Draw: 4/1
- Palace to win: 8/1
- Man Utd to win 3-0: 8/1
First goal scorer
- Marcus Rashford: 7/2
- Anthony Martial: 4/1
- Paul Pogba: 9/2
- Wilfried Zaha: 12/1
- No goalscore: 12/1
TV channel and live stream information
The match will not be televised live in the UK due to TV blackout restrictions on Saturdays between 2:45pm and 5:15pm.
You can follow all the action and analysis on Standard Sport's LIVE blog with Jack Rosser at Old Trafford.
Head to head (h2h) results and history
United dominate this fixture with 37 wins to Palace's seven, and 11 draws between them.
Palace held United to a goalless draw at Old Trafford last term, but lost 3-1 at home in February.
