Crystal Palace welcome Manchester United to Selhurst Park in a final-day clash as the 2021-22 Premier League season concludes.
Victory would see Palace finish as high as 10th if Brighton, Brentford and Newcastle all lose elsewhere, whilst Man Utd will secure sixth and Europa League qualification with a win.
Team News
James Tomkins could return for Crystal Palace after missing their defeat at Everton with a muscle injury.
James McArthur (calf) could also feature but Michael Olise (foot), Marc Guehi (ankle) and Nathan Ferguson (hamstring) remain absent.
Man Utd will welcome Marcus Rashford back after he missed their defeat at Brighton a fortnight ago through illness.
Jadon Sancho (illness), Luke Shaw (leg), Phil Jones (knock) and Eric Bailly (back) are doubts but Paul Pogba (calf) and Mason Greenwood (personal) remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Crystal Palace are unbeaten in three of their last five meetings against Manchester United (W2, D1, L2).
- Man Utd are unbeaten in 12 Premier League visits to Selhurst Park (W8, D4).
- Each of the last three draws between Palace and Utd at Selhurst Park have all finished goalless in March 2005, October 2015 and March 2021.
- Palace’s Wilfried Zaha has converted 13 of his 24 shots on target into goals in the Premier League this season.
- Utd have claimed ten points from five away visits to London-based teams in this season’s Premier League (W3, D1, L1)
Prediction
Having built up a solid two-goal lead at half-time away to Everton on Thursday evening, Palace definitely should feel disappointed at their second-half defensive collapse where poor marking proved their downfall so improvement is a must coming into this tough final home game of the season.
Man Utd meanwhile have had a fortnight off so will be super-fresh and motivated to secure sixth with a win, yet massive improvement is required after failing to deliver basic defending last time out at Brighton whilst their attack was frankly toothless to say the least.
One positive for Utd though is their excellent form at Selhurst Park but if they play like they did at Brighton, I can see Palace winning this if they avoid a repeat of Thursday’s second-half defensive implosion but a draw would be a fair result if both teams bring their best quality.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Manchester United
Result: Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester United
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