When Manchester United plays Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday, they have the opportunity to climb back to sixth place in the Premier League standings. With three games remaining, Erik ten Hag’s team, now ranked ninth, may climb up to sixth place and within three points of fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur. Oliver Glasner’s team is playing well, so it’s easier said than done, but they’re definitely beyond the point where they can move up into the top half of the EPL standings. Under their new manager, Palace has gone into this match with 10 points from a possible 12 following victories against Liverpool, West Ham United, and Newcastle United, followed by a draw with Fulham. They have gone into this match with an undefeated run of four games.
After winning 1-0 at Old Trafford, the Eagles have not placed better than 10th in the Premier League since their Championship promotion back in 2013. Winning here would complete a Premier League double against United, and it may be their third consecutive victory at home. While spots in the Europa League and Europa Conference League are available, United is no longer eligible for the UEFA Champions League. Fifth place may be achievable given Spurs’ deteriorating record, but the FA Cup offers another chance to restore some prestige after a difficult season. Ten Hag’s team has only won seven games away from home while the Red Devils, who haven’t lost since early April, have only triumphed once in their last four games.
Here are our plots, the match’s viewing instructions, and more:
How to observe and the odds
•On Monday, May 6, at 3 p.m. Eastern Time
•Address: Selhurst Park, London, UK
•Watch: Fubo (free trial) and USA Network
•Palace +130; Draw +280; United +188 are the odds.
Team updates
Palace: Rob Holding, Matheus Franca, Jefferson Lerma, Cheick Doucoure, Sam Johnstone, and Marc Guehi are all out due to injury, however Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi should at least rejoin the team. Guehi is not expected to start, but Eze may start up top with Michael Olise and Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Adam Wharton, who arrived in January, should play on.
Potential Palace XI: Henderson; Clyne, Andersen, Richards; Munoz, Wharton, Hughes, Mitchell; Olise, Mateta, Eze.
United: Ten Hag said that Bruno Fernandes may be healthy, but he is still doubtful. Scott McTominay should also make a comeback, while Christian Eriksen might withdraw. Since Anthony Martial hasn’t resumed full training and Harry Maguire is absent for the next three weeks, Jonny Evans may play defensive partner to Casemiro. After scoring against Burnley, Antony should defeat Amad Diallo’s bid for a starting position. Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Willy Kambwala, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, and Marcus Rashford are all out.
Potential United XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Casemiro, Evans, Dalot; McTominay, Mainoo; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Hojlund.
Forecast
This one should be close and easily end in a tie, but in order to put pressure on Spurs, United should grab the point and barely edge the match. Select: Palace 1, United 2.
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