Manchester United v Crystal Palace Preview 19/09/2020

Updated: 4th February 2023

2020-21 English Premier League preview: Manchester United v Crystal Palace – Old Trafford – Saturday, 19 September 2020 – 17:30 hrs GMT

Bet365 odds subject to change and correct as of 17/09/2020.

All our tips are a challenge only and do not guarantee success.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United will want to put behind the pre-season disciplinary issues surrounding Harry Maguire and Mason Greenwood while they prepare to open the 2020-21 season against Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The immediate focus will be on new £40 million signing Donny van de Beek from Ajax who will be expected to solve United's midfield woes especially with Paul Pogba down with Covid-19 presently.

Together with Bruno Fernandes, the Dutchman should combine well in that space with the likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Daniel James crowding the United attack.

Van de Beek's addition will lend a goal-scoring element to United's offensive efforts given that most of their recent goals have come from penalties.

Greenwood may not start depending on his manager’s feeling following his discipline issues. Martial and Rashford look certain starters, while Scott McTominay could get the nod ahead of Nemanja Matic and Fred alongside Van de Beek as the holding central midfielder.

The backline is likely to similar to the one we saw at the end of last season, although Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof are currently tussling to be Maguire’s partner.

As for the defense, the Red Devils had the third-best record in the Premier League last term, having won their opening three fixtures with clean sheets.

With David de Gea's erratic form between the posts, Solskjaer has the dilemma of accommodating two top goalkeepers with Dean Henderson signing a new contract and remaining with the club after his superb loan spell with Sheffield United last season.

On the other hand, Crystal Palace will be buoyed ahead of the Old Trafford clash by their 1-0 win over Southampton in their Premier League opener at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Wilfried Zaha who was the lone scorer in the game will hope to find the back of the net against his former side when he returns to Old Tafford.

Coach Roy Hodgson will be without seven of his key players chief being forwards Christian Benteke and Connor Wickham and defenders Patrick Van Aanholt, Mamadou Sakho, James Tomkins and Gary Hill – all out to injuries.

The Eagles were extremely lucky to earn all three points in the game against Southampton as the Saints dominated the match for long periods and were denied by some excellent goalkeeping from Vicente Guaita.

With the Palace defense thoroughly depleted, United are unlikely to let many opportunities go by and are favourites to win September 19th's clash at odds of 1/4 (Betfred).

• The odds for a draw are going at 5/1 and a win for Palace at 9/1 (Betfred odds)
• Bruno Fernandes to score at any time at 13/10 (Betfred)
• Wilfried Zaha to score at any time at 4/1 (Bet365)
• Manchester United to score a penalty @ 7/2 (Betfred)

Both teams to score (Bet365 odds)

• No: 4/5
• Yes: 19/20

Correct Score odds (Bet365)

• Man Utd 2-0: 13/2 (predicted scoreline)
• Man Utd 2-1: 8/1 (predicted scoreline)
• Man Utd 3-1: 11/1
• Draw 1-1: 11/1

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