Manchester United will be looking to bounce straight back from their derby day defeat last Sunday by finding their fourth win of the season. United find themselves in unfamiliar territory, sitting in tenth position in the league, 13 points behind league leaders Chelsea. The Red Devils look to have mounting defensive issues through injury and suspension and have only managed one goal in their last two matches.
At the back, United have conceded 14 goals already this season, but it could have been a whole lot more if it weren’t for the in-form David De Gea. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index, the Spain international has already made 23 saves this season, including five saves last weekend to keep United level in the derby until the 63rd minute. He will need to remain in top form to ensure that United find their first clean sheet in seven games.
At the back, United will be without Marcos Rojo and Chris Smalling through injury and suspension, but the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index illustrates that Rafael has been United’s star defender so far this season. Rafael has won 17 tackles so far this term, which is more than any other defender in the United squad. He has also made 27 clearances, 16 interceptions and two blocks. He is also not afraid to get forward, and having already created one goal this season, will be looking to add to his assists tally.
At the other end of the pitch, last weekend saw United fail to score for the second time this season, but it is clear that they possess an abundance of attacking talent. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index statistics illustrate this as Wayne Rooney has scored three times this season, with every other shot that has hit the target. Netherlands international captain Robin Van Persie has hit the target more than anybody else in the squad, testing opposition keepers 12 times, finding the net the same amount of times as Rooney. United new boy Angel Di Maria has found the back of the net three times, with a further four assists to his name, and he is 31/10 to score anytime with 888sport.com.
Crystal Palace suffered their third loss in four games to Sunderland on Monday night, which saw them slip perilously close to the danger zone; level on points and goal difference with Leicester in 18th place. Whilst scoring has not been a problem for the Eagles, they have the second worst defensive record in the league and we look to see how they can overcome this and the loss of influential leader Mile Jedinak, who is suspended for the trip north.
As mentioned, Palace are a side capable of scoring goals, especially with two electric wingers in Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha, with the latter ineligible for the weekend clash. The main man putting the ball in the net though is former United star, Frazier Campbell. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index reveals that the English striker has three goals to his name, converting over 23% of his chances. The striker has also clocked an impressive 35.13km/h this season, the fastest pace in the Palace squad, and will look to use that pace to get in behind United’s defence. He is 5/1 to score anytime against his old club with 888sport.com.
In the middle of the park, replacing Mile Jedinak is a big ask of Crystal Palace, but that responsibility will likely fall on the shoulders of Wales international Joe Ledley. The EA SPORTS Player Performance Index tells us that he has won 69.23% of his tackles and racked up 15 interceptions already this campaign. He has covered 74.12km so far this season, and will need to ensure he adds to all of these statistics to win the midfield battle on Saturday.
At the back, English full back Joel Ward has started the campaign in impressive style, and has covered 101.3km of ground, completing 466 sprints, as revealed by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. He has won 87.5% of his tackles, racking up 40 clearances and 19 interceptions and will need to continue his first class form this weekend, where he will line up against Manchester United record signing Angel Di Maria.
Manchester United v Crystal Palace Possible starting lineups
Man Utd: De Gea; Valencia, Carrick, McNair, Shaw; Fellaini, Blind; Januzaj, Rooney, Di Maria; Van Persie
Palace: Speroni; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Kelly; Puncheon, McArthur, Ledley, Bolasie; Chamakh, Campbell
Manchester United v Crystal Palace Match Facts:
- No Barclays Premier League team has had more players sent off than Manchester United in 2014 (5).
- Palace have had a player sent off in two of the last three league meetings with Man Utd.
- Manchester United have made their worst start to a Premier League season, with just 13 points from 10 games. Their previous worst was 17 points.
- The Red Devils have won 10 and drawn two of the last 12 league meetings with the Eagles since Palace won 3-0 in May 1991.
- Crystal Palace have scored a higher proportion of goals from set pieces than any other team in the Premier League (57%).
- Man Utd have kept just two clean sheets in their last 12 Premier League games at Old Trafford.
- Crystal Palace have conceded at least two goals in each of their last six Premier League away games.
Facts compiled from au.eurosport.com
Manchester United v Crystal Palace Prediction:
A 2-0 win for the home side.
Data supplied by the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index. Select and manage your own team of stars with at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ or with FIFA Ultimate team.
