Crystal Palace often love being branded the underdogs, and that will be the case against Manchester United on Sunday (March 1st). Oliver Glasner takes his troops to Old Trafford, where they take on the Premier League’s in-form team.
The noise surrounding Glasner’s short-term future has dissipated this week thanks to two much-needed wins. A 1-0 win over 10-man Wolverhampton Wanderers last Sunday was crucial following a wounding 3-2 loss to Burnley.
The Eagles followed that up with a 2-0 victory against Bosnian minnows Zrinjski Mostar, booking their place in the last 16 of the Europa Conference League. It’s fair to say that the focus is on that competition after reaching 35 points in the Premier League.
Preview
Palace were on a run of just one win in 15 games before the victory at home to Wolves. They had Dean Henderson to thank following a penalty save and Evann Guessand for a late winner.
Guessand was at it again in the midweek Conference League playoff win, scoring for a second game in a row. The Ivorian is proving to be an excellent signing after arriving on loan from Aston Villa in January.
Glasner will be making his players aware of their recent record at Old Trafford. They have won four of their last six away league games against the Red Devils, beating them 2-0 last February.
That said, Palace slipped to a 2-1 defeat at home to United at Selhurst Park in November. If another loss occurs, it will be the first time the hosts have done the double over the South Londoners since the 2017-18 campaign.
Crystal Palace team news
Maxence Lacroix opened the scoring in the win over Zrinjski after recovering from an adductor issue. The French defender was a doubt but started and made his mark as Palace marched on to the last 16.
Glasner looks likely to have him available for the visit to the Theatre of Dreams. He won’t have his fellow countryman Jean-Philippe Mateta back in time for Sunday’s game as he continues to recover from a knee injury.
Mateta failed a medical ahead of a proposed move to AC Milan last month. He is hopeful of returning to fitness before the international break at the end of March.
Glasner has also confirmed in his pre-match press conference that Eddie Nketiah and Cheick Doucoure remain out of action. Nketiah could return before April, but Doucoure has a “long way to go.”
Jefferson Lerma is nursing a hamstring problem he sustained in the loss to Burnley two weeks ago. The Colombian is expected to be absent for three more weeks.
Expected XI
Glasner appears to have a plan to throw United off, but a lack of personnel makes it unlikely the team will change systems. The main question is who he turns to off the left following Guessand’s impressive displays against Wolves and Zrinjski.
Guessand undoubtedly deserves a start and could do so in a front three with Jorgen Strand Larsen and Ismaila Sarr. It will be vital that the Eagles get control in the middle of the park, and that will likely be up to Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada.
Another Palace man who has caught the eye as of late has been Jaydee Canvot. The French teenager’s performance midweek could earn a start at Old Trafford.
Crystal Palace likely lineup: Henderson; Canvot, Richards, Lacroix; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Guessand; Strand Larsen
Prediction
The timing of this match is important when assessing whether Glasner can become the first manager to beat Carrick’s United. Had it occurred last week, the Eagles would have been almost guaranteed to suffer defeat.
Football always throws up surprises, and the visitors will arrive at Old Trafford in high spirits after reaching the Conference League last 16. The only problem is that the Red Devils don’t look like they’re going to slip up in their top-four race.
In fact, they can move above Aston Villa into third if they beat Palace tomorrow. With this in mind, it doesn’t seem likely that Glasner’s men will take anything from the game.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Crystal Palace
