Crystal Palace are hosting Manchester United

Crystal Palace are hosting Manchester United at the Selhurst Park in a fixture from the 36th week of the Premier League. This match could be really important in the race for the Top 4, so let’s take a look at it.

This game is crucial for United, so let’s start with them. The Red Devils’ main goal at the moment is a qualification for the Champions League, so that’s why they need to finish among the first four. At this moment Manchester United are 5th, but with the same amount of points as the 4th Leicester City. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team is touching the Top 4, but they are still not in it.

United could have been in the Top 4 already, if it was not their dissapointing 2-2 draw with Southampton on Tuesday. The former champions hosted the Saints and they were ready to secure the three points, but the visitors showed some toughness and won a point. Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial scored for Manchester United, but a very late goal in the 96th minute by Obafemi stole the win from the hosts’ hands.

We don’t expect to see any major changes made by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in his line-up. He uses Martial, Rashford and Greenwood in attack, while Bruno Fernandes is providing goals and assist from second line. Paul Pogba is also starting after a long battle with injuries during the season.

For Crystal Palace this game can’t change much. The Londoners could eventually surpass Newcastle United at the 13th spot, but it won’t make a lot of difference for them. Roy Hodgson’s team successfully survived, so this is a positive season for them.

Nobody really expected Manchester United’s mistake against Southampton, so now the Red Devils must be ready to answer and win the three points. For them it’s essential to win at the Selhurst Park and they do not have any other choice right now.