Crystal Palace v Man United: Fernandes the dangerman as United plot revenge
Man United will be looking to avenge their 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace when they face the Eagles at Selhurst Park.
When: Wednesday, March 3, 20:15 GMT
How to watch: Sky Sports
Last three Premier League meetings:
Manchester United 1:3 Crystal Palace (September 19, 2020)
In Manchester United's first game of the season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men were given a reality check when their star-studded side was brushed aside by Crystal Palace.
United dominated possession throughout the 90 minutes, but the visitors were far more clinical and converted their opportunities into goals.
Crystal Palace 0:2 Manchester United (July 16, 2020)
With three games remaining until the end of the previous season, Manchester United were embroiled in a fight for a top four finish with Chelsea and Leicester City.
The stakes were high and United had to win their game with Crystal Palace in order to strengthen their position.
Thankfully for Solskjaer's men, goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial helped the Red Devils to a 2-0 win away at Selhurst Park. United and Chelsea ended up taking the two Champions League places while Leicester missed out.
Manchester United 1:2 Crystal Palace (August 24, 2019)
A last second Patrick van Aanholt winner sealed a famous victory for Crystal Palace - their first at Old Trafford since 1989.
Palace started the game brightly and opened the scoring on the half-hour mark through Jordan Ayew. United fought back and managed to grab the equaliser in 89th minute courtesy of Daniel James' headed goal.
It seemed like United could go on and win the game in stoppage time however, in a spectacular turn of events, it was the visitors who took the spoils.
Head-to-head since 1989
Played: 32
Crystal Palace wins: 5
Draws: 5
Manchester United wins: 22
Crystal Palace goals: 23
Manchester United goals: 58
United's away form too strong
Man United are in the midst of a ten-game unbeaten run when it comes to games away from home in all competitions. In fact, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men are the only Premier League side to have avoided an away league defeat all season long.
The only two losses that United have suffered on the road, both came in the Champions League. A 2-1 loss to Istanbul Basaksehir and a 3-2 defeat to RB Leipzig condemned United to Thursday nights as they were dumped out of the competition and sent packing to the Europa League.
United have drawn their last three away Premier League games and two of those came against Chelsea and Arsenal. If those two clubs failed to end United's run, then the chances of Palace managing this look slim.
United's last five away Premier League games:
Chelsea 0-0 Man United
West Brom 1-1 Man United (Fernandes)
Arsenal 0-0 Man United
Fulham 1-2 Man United (Cavani, Pogba)
Can Palace threaten?
United are the clear favourites with the bookies but that doesn't mean they can expect an easy ride at Selhurst Park.
Palace have beaten Solskjaer's men twice over the last two years and United will think twice before underestimating them.
One common factor about those victories was the influence of Wilfried Zaha. The former United man is unlikely to feature this Wednesday night and that could leave Hodgson's side without enough fire power to really go after the visitors.
Score prediction
The absence of Zaha and a clear lack of momentum leaves Palace in a difficult position. The team has only managed three wins from their last ten games in all competitions and they don't look like they could pull off another famous win over the Red Devils.
Goalscorer bets
United's recent successes have been down to one man - Bruno Fernandes. His transfer is one of the best that United have made probably since the addition of Robin van Persie back in 2012.
As things stand, Fernandes is second in the Premier League's top scorer charts with 15 to his name; just two behind Mo Salah.
Fernandes is priced at 5/4 to score anytime and 7/2 to score first. Marcus Rashford also offers good odds at 7/5 to score anytime and 4/1 to score first.