Crystal Palace vs Man United: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info

Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United sees two sides without a win in three games go head to head to try and break out of their respective mini-slumps. 

Palace captain Miles Jedinak said of this one, per Palace's website: 

"

The boys are hurting after successive defeats; it’s never nice to lose games especially back-to-back, so we’re trying to put things right.

For us it’s all about trying to stay in a positive state of mind in order to get back to winning ways, and we’ve done that already this season when the boys showed a lot of character.

We know we’re going to go through sticky periods and it’s up to us as a group to overcome it.

"

After United's League Cup loss to Middlesbrough, Chris Smalling spoke of the trip to Palace:

Alan Pardew has expressed his concerns about the way United's football could affect the famously vibrant atmosphere at Selhurst Park:

Louis van Gaal, in his pre-match press conference, spoke of United's fans and his desire to do well on their behalf:

Both teams would benefit from a result here, although the pressure is probably more acute on Van Gaal than it is on Pardew.

Date: Saturday, 31 October 2015

Time: 3 p.m. GMT/11 a.m. ET

Venue: Selhurst Park, London

TV Info: NBCSN and Telemundo (U.S. Only)

Live Stream:  NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. Only)

Form Lines

Crystal Palace: WWWLLL 

Manchester United: WLWDDL

Team News

Pardew told a pre-match press conference, per CPFC.co.uk:

"

[Yohan] Cabaye's a doubt, we'll have to see how he is tomorrow. Connor Wickham is a definite no, Pape Souare is a doubt, Wardy [Joel Ward] is a doubt. [Marouane] Chamakh is not going to be involved.

Punch [Jason Puncheon] will be okay.

"

For United, as well as long-term injuries to Luke Shaw and Paddy McNair, Van Gaal will be without the services of Antonio Valencia, Memphis Depay and James Wilson, per MUTV (h/t ManUtd.com). Of those, none were guaranteed starters, with Valencia probably the most likely to feature if fit. Having Matteo Darmian in the side instead should be no disadvantage to the Red Devils. 

Predicted Lineups

Palace's lineup could look as above, depending on the fitness of Cabaye and Soure in particular, both of whom should feature if available. Bakary Sako is an alternative selection in any of the three spots behind the striker, depending on who has impressed Pardew in training. 

Jedinak could also feature.

For United, the lineup choice is fairly straightforward. Perhaps Van Gaal will throw a curve ball into the mix by selecting, say Jesse Lingard over Juan Mata, or even giving the out-of-form Wayne Rooney a rest. If he does that, Young could start on the left wing, with Anthony Martial moved back into the middle.

Players to Watch 

If Cabaye does manage to play, he would certainly count as Palace's main man. With four league goals already this season, he is their top scorer, in spite of playing as a box-to-box midfielder. He is important to them defensively, also, averaging 3.7 tackles and 3.7 interceptions per league game, the most of any Palace player in either of those categories.

Nigel Roddis/Getty Images

Assuming he does not play, United will have to be mindful of Jason Puncheon. Thus far this season, he is Palace's creator-in-chief. He has two assists, as many as any other Palace player, but is averaging 1.9 key passes per league game, the best in the squad.

Neither Wilfried Zaha nor Yannick Bolasie have set the goalscoring or chance-creation charts on fire yet, but they both continue to occupy defenders, thanks to their propensity for a dribble. They are averaging 2.4 and 2.2 successful dribbles per league game respectively.

Clive Rose/Getty Images

The last few games have been somewhat fruitless for Mata. Substituted against Arsenal, Everton and Manchester City, he played no part at all against CSKA Moscow or Middlesbrough.  

This could be an important game for Mata, who is capable of providing some much-needed magic for United's forward line. Van Gaal needs to offer more faith in Mata; if he does, the numbers suggest he will be rewarded, given Mata's return of goals and assists since he arrived at United. 

Key Battle

The pattern of play in United games is relatively predictable. They are likely to dominate possession, and Palace will, presumably, look to sit back and hit them on the counter-attack. In order for that to be successful, Palace's defensive unit will have to be well-organised and concentrate for the 90 minutes. The battle between Scott Dann and Brede Hangeland and United's front four will be crucial.

Odds

Crystal Palace Win: 303/100

Draw: 5/2

Manchester United Win: 11/10

Odds for the game correct at the time of writing, per OddsShark.

All advanced statistics per WhoScored.com.