A struggling Manchester United (19-8-8, 65 Points) could find some problems once again at Selhurst Park on Saturday night where Crystal Palace (11-9-15, 42 Points) will look to clinch up its spot in the Premier League once again for next season.
ODDS ANALYSIS
In spite of United's recent poor form, it is still trusted as the odds on favorite in this match. This is a sentiment which won't coincide with what many feel in England, knowing that Palace has had a history of upsetting the really big clubs here at Selhurst Park.
Still, "Plucky Palace" can be had at +340 on the moneyline or at -105 at an Asian handicap of +0.5.
The total is actually relatively low at just 2.5 (under -130), which wouldn't be what you would have expected had this match played out perhaps five or six weeks ago.
KEY INJURIES
Louis van Gaal has come under fire for a lot of his tactical decisions at the end of this season, but one has to wonder how much of those problems are coming from all of the injuries his side has had.
The Red Devils will enter this match without Michael Carrick, Jonny Evans, Rafael and Marcos Rojo, and we don't expect to see Luke Shaw playing on Saturday either thanks to a groin injury which held him out against West Brom last week.
The Eagles haven't had the luxury of playing with Marouane Chamakh for most of the season. He remains out in this match along with Fraizer Campbell, Ryan Inniss and Jerome Thomas.
QUOTE TO NOTE
"He has his own philosophy and approach which players have to adapt to. In the end, you see that it makes you better and it makes a better team. I think everybody has realized that now. It's important that we have stuck together as a team, even when it's not going so well." – Manchester United midfielder Daley Blind on his manager, Louis van Gaal
RECENT FORM
It's almost like Manchester United realized that its Champions League goals were met for next season after beating Manchester City on April 12 and packed it in from there. The problem is that the season wasn't over with. Now, the Red Devils have lost three in a row, leaving them just four points clear of a Liverpool side which suddenly fancies itself to get into the last Champions League spot as well.
CP was beaten last week at Chelsea to give the Blues the EPL title, but there was no shame in that loss. What there is shame in is the fact that the Eagles have been beaten in three straight matches. There is now at least a shadow of doubt about their survival, though the likelihood of them not staying in the Premier League next year is still virtually assured.
TALKING TOTALS
Would you believe that United, a team which scored 12 goals in four matches from the middle of March through the middle of April, hasn't scored a single goal in three straight fixtures? It's the longest streak without a goal of the season for Man U, and the end result has been two unders in three games.
Three straight Crystal Palace matches have stayed under the total after four in a row prior to that had gone over.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
We are really mystified by what has happened to this Manchester United offense. Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie have been nowhere to be found, and even the secondary scorers like Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini haven't had a big say in the proceedings either.
Crystal Palace, even with its struggles offensively, has been playing well on the defensive end of the pitch.
We think there is great value here in backing the Eagles at +340. This isn't a 50/50 proposition by any stretch of the imagination, but we would still rather back the hosts than either of the other two results.
Crystal Palace 1, Manchester United 0
BookMaker has live English Premier League odds for every clash of the season. You can find a moneyline price on Manchester United of -115 and a total of 2.5 (under -130) right now! BookMaker is also going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised match. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, total and spread. Log in and start gambling during the soccer game now!
Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook! You can wager on sporting events as they unfold on television with BookMaker’s live betting platform. Real-time spreads, totals, props and moneyline odds are all available by clicking here, so start betting with BookMaker today! The fixture between Manchester United and Crystal Palace will take place at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at Selhurst Park. The game will be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network.
