[3:00 PM] Manchester United @ Crystal Palace

What will be the match result?

Manchester United: Win

@ Crystal Palace: Win or Draw

 

Recent Results:

Manchester United: 3-2-0

Crystal Palace: 1-1-3

 

• Henrikh Mkhitaryan suffered an ankle injury in the 1-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday and has been ruled out until Boxing Day. Jesse Lingard may be preferred to Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford, if Jose Mourinho is cautious of marking Wilfried Zaha out of the game. Antonio Valencia is suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in Sunday’s win, which gives Mourinho a selection headache at right-back. Given the pace available on the flanks to Crystal Palace, Mourinho may be concerned about bringing Daley Blind into the team, and with Luke Shaw still a doubt, Ashley Young or Tim Fosu-Mensah could deputise in Valencia’s place.

• Jason Puncheon serves a one-match ban and will miss the reception of Manchester United on Wednesday, which should see Yohan Cabaye return to the starting XI. Pape Soaure, Connor Wickham, Jonathan Benteke and Steve Mandanda are all long-term absentees, while Loic Remy lacks match fitness.

• Manchester United secured back-to-back wins in all competitions for the first time since September when they beat Tottenham 1-0 on Sunday. With other results going in their favour, they are now only six points adrift of fourth place ahead of the midweek fixtures.

• Crystal Palace are unbeaten in two matches after their 3-3 draw with Hull on Saturday but are still a long way from securing their Premier League safety. Their defending has been abysmal this season and they are only three points above the bottom three. Their last seven league games have seen a staggering five goals a game.

• Games at Selhurst Park have proved difficult for United in recent years, but this should be an entertaining game given the nature of Palace’s recent results. If Jose Mourinho’s side can minimise the threat posed by Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha then they should manage another three points here.

 

StreakSmarts Pick: Manchester United: Win

Confidence: 5/10

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