Eagles to spoil Rangnick party?
Ralf Rangnick will be welcomed to the Old Trafford dugout for the first time this Sunday when the Red Devils play host to Crystal Palace. Michael Carrick will lead the side out as they take on Arsenal on Thursday evening for the final time with the new interim manager taking charge against the Eagles. In the short term, Carrick has steadied the ship quite nicely with a win at Villarreal in the Champions League and taking a point off of league leaders Chelsea he has done his reputation no harm. Palace have lost their last two matches after looking very impressive in the first couple of months of the season, the Eagles have a good recent record against United will believe they can take maximum points when they arrive at Old Trafford.
Process
United have been absolutely shambolic defensively this season and that will be the first key area for Rangnick to work. The hosts have conceded 22 from 24.2 expected goals (xG) in just 13 matches at an average of 1.86 xGA per game, I do not care how good you are going forward, with numbers like that you are not going to finish in the Premier League’s top four this season.
Palace have been very solid at the back only conceding 20 from 14 games but notably restricting the opposition to chances equating to just 16.4 xGA, an average of 1.17 xGA per game. Marc Guehi and Joachim Andersen have formed a decent centre back partnership and with Patrick Vieira’s midfield contingent battling extremely well on the whole the back four has been competently protected. Quite the opposite of what we have seen in a handful of Manchester United games this term.
Goals?
A goals based angle does entice me here, although giving Palace a goal headstart on the Asian Handicap could also be a good way into this affair.
- Man U have scored in eight of ten.
- Man U have conceded in eight of ten.
- Man U have seen both teams score in six of ten.
- Man U have seen over 2.5 goals in six of ten.
- Palace have scored in eight of ten.
- Palace have conceded in eight of ten.
- Palace have seen both teams score in six of ten.
- Palace have seen over 2.5 goals in five of ten.
United have two days less to recover for this fixture and therefore we could see significant squad rotation. That is not an excuse given the size of their squad, but with more recovery time there is a reason to get Palace onside in some way. For me that is in the both teams to score market.
Post bet chat Marcus's Tips:
1-0 United, Palace scupper us.