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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

Three pundits agree on Manchester United vs Crystal Palace score prediction

Manchester United have another opportunity to underline their top-four credentials and put added pressure on fifth-placed Tottenham when they meet Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon (3pm).

Victory for Erik ten Hag and his squad - boosted by deadline day signing Marcel Sabitzer - would increase the gap to six points with 17 fixtures remaining. Tottenham are due to take on reigning Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Sabitzer will feature for United against the Eagles after his move from Bayern Munich was confirmed, but will he start? Here is what three pundits think will happen;

READ MORE: Every word from press conference

Paul Merson - Sportskeeda

Sharing his Sportskeeda predictions, Merson said: "Crystal Palace are a hard team to break down, and they're going to set up to play counter-attacking football. Manchester United have had problems with breaking sides down in the past, and that changed when Christian Eriksen came in.

"Eriksen is a player that you need to beat a team like Palace, and his absence will make a massive difference. They have brought Sabitzer in on loan from Bayern Munich, but is he what they really wanted? He wasn't on the radar in the first place, and it looks like a panic buy.

"Manchester United are going to win this game. I also wouldn't be surprised if they dropped points."

Score prediction: Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace

Chris Sutton - BBC Sport

Writing his BBC Sport column, Sutton added: "Crystal Palace nicked a draw right at the end of the game when these two teams met at Selhurst Park last month. It cost me prediction points, too, because I had gone for a 1-0 Manchester United win.

"It will be harder for the Eagles this time, and not just because they go to Old Trafford, where United have won their past 12 games in all competitions. Wilfried Zaha is injured and, while he has not been at his very best so far this season, he is still a big miss."

Score prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace

Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power

Providing his Paddy Power tips, Lawrenson continued: "I think this will be a routine Manchester United win. Everything seems rosy in the garden, and all the signings they've made have been really, really good.

"I'm a big fan of Erik ten Hag, he's got common sense. He gives it to the players in training, so good on him."

Score prediction: Manchester United 2-0 Crystal Palace

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