Later today, Jose Mourinho’s men have a chance to build on last weekend’s victory over Chelsea, and prop them back into second place. Whereas, Roy Hodgson needs some sorting to do, to get them back out off the infamous drop spot.
All the odds are stacked against the home side, Palace. They haven’t really turned up to matches when taking on any of the big six. The team, who use to show up and play a battle scarring 90 minutes of football, has long left Selhurst Park.
If they were to get anything out of this game, they’d have to find those players again, start strong, and play till the final whistle. History and recent form stands in the way of the London side taking three points though. They have a tough uphill climb in this one.
❄️💪 Bring on United! #CRYMUN pic.twitter.com/87KmGyfDjj
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 4, 2018
Crystal Palace last five home fixtures in the Premier League
| P | Home | VS | Away | Result |
| 1st | Crystal Palace | 0-1 | Tottenham | L |
| 2nd | Crystal Palace | 1-1 | Newcastle | D |
| 3rd | Crystal Palace | 1-0 | Burnley | W |
| 4th | Crystal Palace | 0-0 | Man City | D |
| 5th | Crystal Palace | 0-3 | Arsenal | L |
The last Palace success in this fixture was 27 years ago. The London club will be looking to change this history.
Judging by the run of games they have against some of the top-six clubs – they have to be thinking about taking wins against them and especially when they enjoy home fixtures.
In this case, as there was in other cases yesterday – does the fight for survival outweigh the importance of the fight for Champions League spot? Yesterday, United’s rivals proved the fight for a top-four slot more indispensable.
Looking for back-to-back @PremierLeague wins! #MUFC pic.twitter.com/mtsjYXZd1Q
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) March 5, 2018
More from Crystal Palace
- Crystal Palace eye promising move for ex-Manchester City wonderkid
- Tottenham face uphill battle to sign “influential” player from Crystal Palace
- Chelsea activate £35m release clause of Crystal Palace’s “special talent”
- Young Chelsea fullback expected to join London neighbours on loan
- Crystal Palace “set to sign” Brazil wonderkid as Wilfried Zaha replacement
United’s away run in recent time
On the road United has seen success in the FA Cup, but has been without points in the Premier League, in the last two. Of the last five games on their travels – United has won two, lost two, and drew one.
Nothing to be proud about, taking into account the squad this Manchester club declares. Their newest failure away from home came against a team fighting the same cause, Newcastle. This justifies the difficulty in playing a team fighting relegation.
Rain, sun or snow. We put the work in! #CPFC 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/tI1TzWVCBN
— Christian Benteke (@chrisbenteke) March 3, 2018
Manchester United last five away fixtures in the Premier League
P | Home | VS | Away | Result |
| 1st | Newcastle | 1-0 | Man United | L |
| 2nd | Tottenham | 2-0 | Man United | L |
| 3rd | Burnley | 0-1 | Man United | W |
| 4th | Everton | 0-2 | Man United | W |
| 5th | Leicester City | 2-2 | Man United | D |
Man Utd will return to second spot if they beat Crystal Palace later... #CRYMUN pic.twitter.com/pBkLXsyEi8
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 5, 2018
United will also be without a load of first team players when they play later this evening, but so will Palace. This really leaves the game in the balance for both teams and helps makes for a more anticipated clash.
Despite all the bad injury news and players missing for other reasons, both teams look set and ready to take each other on in this old, English fixture.