Premier League

Man Utd vs Crystal Palace prediction

Manchester United start their 2020-21 Premier League campaign at home to Crystal Palace at Old Trafford on Saturday after being given the opening weekend off.

Donny van de Beek has been the only new addition to the Red Devils so far over the summer and will likely compete with Paul Pogba for a starting position for this weekend’s game and throughout the season.

It will be interesting to see whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer goes with David de Gea or Dean Henderson between the sticks, whilst the preparation to the new season has been hindered by off the field incidents involving both captain Harry Maguire and Mason Greenwood.

Crystal Palace surprised many teams last weekend with a 1-0 win over Southampton. It was a solid tactical display from Roy Hodgson’s side, who protected goalkeeper Vicente Guaita very well.

Despite finishing third in the end last season I am still not sold on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as a tactician and have never been a big admirer of Harry Maguire. The pace of Jordan Ayew and Wilfried Zaha on the counter-attack could be a problem in particular for the centre-back.

Manchester United’s odds are so short I think they’re worth a lay this weekend.

Value bet: Lay Manchester United at 1.36 with Smarkets