Born in the south east of Ireland, Simon put his life-long love of football to good use when he started a successful independent blog in 2010. That opened up an alternative route to a career in journalism, and having had work published across a number of sites and publications, Simon joined the staff at Spotlight Sports Group in 2018.
Manchester United will hope to leave a summer of transfer market frustration behind when they host Roy Hodgson’s robust Crystal Palace side at Old Trafford on Saturday, in the Red Devils’ long-awaited first fixture of the new Premier League campaign.
Last year, the Eagles turned the Theatre of Dreams in an arena of nightmares when they swooped into claim three points from United’s clutches thanks to an injury time Patrick van Aanholt winner, however, a more confident Red Devils team will be desperate to set the record straight in Saturday’s rematch.
Ahead of the action this weekend, we’ve assembled this five-part #OddsOnThat special for the game that comes in at a tasty looking 35/1!
Remember – you can find a more comprehensive analysis of the game with our expert’s verdict and betting tips in our Manchester United vs Crystal Palace predictions here.
What is Betfair’s #OddsOnThat?
Betfair’s #OddsOnThat feature allows you create a customised multiples bet based on your own unique picks ahead of a particular football match.
You can choose from a huge variety of markets and once you have decided on your selection, you can request a price for your acca from Betfair on Twitter using the #OddsOnThat hashtag.
Want to add FST’s 35/1 selection straight to your betslip? Check it out below:
FST’s Manchester United vs Crystal Palace #OOT
Manchester United to win
With the performances of the mercurial Bruno Fernandes key alongside the return to fitness of Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba, and the emergence of the sensational Mason Greenwood, Manchester United finished the 2019/20 season with a hugely impressive 14-match unbeaten streak from January through to July.
All of those big hitters, along with summer acquisition Donny van de Beek, are available from the get-go for United this time around, and with revenge on the agenda, the Red Devils should have too much firepower for an injury hit Palace to contain.
Both teams to score
The Eagles have however, found joy in behind United’s defence in recent meetings, and it’s interesting to note that both teams found the net in three of their last five encounters since March 2018.
Roy Hodgson’s team wield real pace on the break and armed with considerable counter-punching ability, Palace have the weaponry to test United’s slow centre. Keeping their hosts out at the other end should prove a much more difficult task however, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, who notched in each of their last 13 Premier League fixtures, should score again.
Anthony Martial to score anytime
Flying French forward Anthony Martial enjoyed a prolific end to the 2019/20 campaign, netting seven times during Project Restart in a lethal final flourish for United.
The ex-Monaco starlet seemed to save most of his best work for his appearances at Old Trafford, where the 24-year-old has bagged eight goals in his last seven run-outs, though Martial did manage to score a fine effort on the road when United last played Palace at Selhurst Park in July.
Spearheading a United attack supported by an increasingly creative midfield, Martial looks well priced to pick up where he left off on Saturday, and the versatile attacker looks a prime candidate to register.
Marital also features in FST’s new video series: The Bet Builders with Statman Dave and special guests – check out episode two here!
Luka Milivojevic to get booked
Hard-hitting Serbian midfielder Luka Milivojevic was Palace’s most potent purveyor of the game’s dark arts in 2019/20, and the anchorman was booked a whopping 12 times overall in the Premier League last term.
Interestingly, the 29-year-old was cautioned in each of Crystal Palace’s meetings with Man Utd last season, and Milivojevic was lucky not to see red at Old Trafford after he gave away a penalty with a cynical foul while already on a yellow.
On Saturday, the Eagles’ chief ball winner is expected to have a heavy defensive workload to get through, and we think there is every chance the hotblooded midfielder will be collared again.
Man Utd – 4.0 corner handicap
Somewhat unsurprisingly, Man Utd dominated the corner count in their two Premier League meetings with Crystal Palace last season, and we expect the Red Devils to be comfortable corner winners again this week.
At Old Trafford last year, in the corresponding fixture between the teams, United won eight corners to Palace’s won, while the clubs’ return meeting in July saw the Manchester giants win seven to the Eagles’ two.
With the 15-3 aggregate count from last year’s duels a telling factor, United look good at -4.0 in the corner handicap for Saturday’s contest.
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