Free football betting tips: Preview of Crystal Palace v Manchester United in the Premier League
George Pitts takes a look at where the best value is for the Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Manchester United on Monday night.
Monday Night Football recommended bets
2pts Manchester United to beat Crystal Palace and over 2.5 total goals in the match at 8/5
1pt Romelu Lukaku to score anytime in Crystal Palace v Manchester United at 7/5
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Crystal Palace v Manchester United (2000 GMT, Sky Sports Main Event)
A tough run of fixtures sees Crystal Palace follow up their home defeat to Tottenham with a clash under the lights against Manchester United at Selhurst Park.
Roy Hodgson’s depleted side performed well to contain Spurs for the majority of last week's match, before Harry Kane’s late winner saw the Eagles slip to defeat.
Hodgson was named manager of the year at the London football awards this week, despite only taking over the south Londoners in September. He has given them real hope of avoiding the drop since replacing Frank de Boer, but they are not clear of danger yet as they sit level on points with 18th-placed Swansea.
His side have been struck down by injuries to a number of first-team players in recent weeks and they have been dealt a boost by the news loanee Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who performed so well before Christmas, is set to return from an ankle lay-off – but it will not be in time to face the Red Devils.
Star man and former United winger Wilfried Zaha – who they rarely win without in the league – is making good progress but he will be absent here as Palace search for a first victory since mid-January.
Jose Mourinho’s side are understandably odds-on favourites for the victory as they look to gather form and beat Liverpool in the race for a second-placed finish in the Premier League.
The Red Devils have lost two of their last five league outings, leaving their Merseyside rivals on their tails with just two points difference, but I cannot see United slipping up here.
The visitors to win by two goals is a tempting 7/2 while, if you think there could be more, United winning with over 2.5 total goals in the game can be backed at 31/20.
Romelu Lukaku has scored three goals in his last two Premier League appearances and the Belgian is 13/8 in a score-and-win double, and 7/5 to net anytime.
Palace are definitely tougher to beat under Hodgson and they showed that against Spurs. But United do not play their Champions League last 16 second-leg tie with Sevilla until March 13, so they will not be distracted and should do enough to take all three points back to Old Trafford before a vital clash with Liverpool on Saturday.
Score prediction: Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester United (Sky Bet odds: 9/1) (George Pitts)
Posted at 1740 GMT at 02/02/18