Premier League: Sunday Lunch is Served at Selhurst

Crystal Palace vs Manchester United

Earlier this week, acclaimed football writer Henry Winter eloquently put forward the case for the two Premier League managers who will be in opposing dugouts at Selhurst Park this Sunday lunchtime.

His words were impossible to argue against when he pointed out that the Austrian alchemist Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace) deploys a similar system to Ruben Amorim (Manchester United), but Glasner’s side are more attractive, organised, and successful.

What’s more, explained Winter, is that Glasner continues to keep his charges at the sharp end despite losing talents such as Michael Olise (£60 million to Bayern Munich) and FA Cup match-winner Eberechi Eze (for a similar fee to Arsenal).

While United rest up, they also have a more intense schedule to wrestle with, including European football and an away trip to Strasbourg on Thursday.

Yet what does it tell you when Palace are favourites for this encounter – as our SBOTOP Premier League 2025 betting odds demonstrate.

It all means that should Glasner’s boys defeat Amorim’s men this weekend, the comparison will grow even more uncomfortable for the latter.

 

Talking Points

My views on the Portuguese manager and his tactics, which I think form part of an ill-suited system, are well-documented and, despite an improved October, remain largely unchanged.

That was evident on Monday night when three points were there for the taking at home to Everton, reduced to 10 men after just 13 minutes.

But as Winter observed following the 1-0 defeat, Amorim didn’t go for the jugular to the extent that onlookers would not have realised which side was numerically disadvantaged.

“He took time with his changes. He didn’t switch from a very defensive back-five until late on. Amorim doesn’t exude authority. Glasner does.”

Another negative result on Sunday and the pressure will increase further on United, while whatever level of Premier League 2025 highlights they deliver this weekend, it has been a quite superb year for the Eagles.

The FA Cup and Community Shield winners have continued to raise the bar, despite losing top talents in successive years. In fact, the only opponent they have realistically struggled with is fatigue, which is justified given their demanding schedule.

Writing before their European tie, it is hard to know what shape Palace are in, while United will be awaiting news on the fitness of Matheus Cunha and Harry Maguire, both of whom missed the woeful showing on Monday through injury.

That game saw the return to the substitutes bench of influential defender, Lisandro Martinez, out since sustaining a cruciate ligament injury against Palace in February, but he will surely not be risked as a starter as he tries to build up match fitness.

A few days before United were booed off at home, Palace were winning at Wolves.

Only Arsenal have lost fewer games than the Eagles (two) so far this term and, in a tight Premier League, are showing they have the quality to remain among the leading sides. United take note.

 

History

Overall, Palace have 13 wins against United, who have tasted success on 41 occasions, with 14 draws. Last season, a second-half double from Jean-Philippe Mateta fired the Eagles to a 2-0 win at a misfiring United.

It was five months after a rather more impressive United drew 0-0 at Selhurst Park – a game they should have won but would have lost but for a superb save from Andre Onana.

Palace have only actually lost one of their last five meetings with United – a 3-0 League Cup success two seasons ago, courtesy of goals from Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro, and Anthony Martial.

League-wise that season, Joachim Andersen’s superb strike gave the Eagles a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford before they romped to a 4-0 home success the following May.

The inaugural meeting between these sides came in August 1922 in the former Division Two where John Wood and Joe Spence goals gave United a 2-1 Old Trafford victory.

 

Betting Tip

As highlighted, the Eagles are favourites. They are on offer 1X2 @ 2.34 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.17, compared to United 1X2 @ 2.67 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.38.

The 1X2 Draw @ 3.32 is my *** tip, although I think that is the most United can expect, which is damning given they will have had a less arduous week than their hosts.

A repeat of the corresponding fixture last term will pay out @ 13.50 with Correct Score 0-0. Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.67 is tempting, whereas 2-3 @ 2.03 and 4-6 @ 2.91 both offer good value.

   

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