BBC Sport pundit Chris Sutton has made a telling prediction for Manchester United’s upcoming Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
Erik ten Hag’s men dropped valuable points on their last Premier League outing after slipping to a 1-1 draw against Burnley at Old Trafford.
Manchester United are officially out of the race for Champions League football and Erik ten Hag’s side will finish outside of the Premier League top four.
The Red Devils have won only one of their last five league matches, with United picking up three draws and one defeat amid their disappointing run of form.
United have four Premier League matches and the FA Cup final to play before their lacklustre campaign is over.
Ten Hag’s side play Crystal Palace before hosting Arsenal and Newcastle at Old Trafford in the Premier League this month.
United will then travel to the Amex for their Premier League clash with Brighton before facing Manchester City in the FA Cup final on 25th May at Wembley.
Sutton talks Man Utd vs Palace
Crystal Palace have won three of their last five Premier League matches and Oliver Glasner’s men will be hopeful of securing points at Old Trafford.
Chris Sutton believes that “one thing that might help” Manchester United for the encounter on Monday is Eberechi Eze being “doubtful with a knee injury.”
However, the BBC Sport pundit warned Erik ten Hag’s men that they would still have to contend with Jean-Philippe Mateta, who is “still on fire” at Palace.
“I keep getting abuse from Manchester United fans on social media saying I never back them on here… but we keep on seeing why I rarely back them to win,” he wrote in his BBC Sport column.
“They were played off the park by Burnley last week, and were fortunate to get a point. So, how can I possibly back them to beat Palace?
“The one thing that might help Erik ten Hag’s side is that Eagles forward Eberechi Eze is doubtful with a knee injury, but Jean-Philippe Mateta is still on fire and will be a real handful for the United defence.”
Sutton predicts Man Utd vs Palace
Sutton pointed out that United have already suffered defeat to Palace earlier this season after the Red Devils lost 1-0 at Old Trafford last September.
The TNT Sports commentator and pundit admitted that he wanted to “tip” Glasner’s men to win, but Sutton has backed a 1-1 scoreline for the contest instead.
“Palace won 1-0 at Old Trafford in September but I don’t want to upset United fans again by predicting they will suffer another defeat,” Sutton continued.
“I do want to tip Palace to win, but there are so many angry United fans out there who think I am against their club, I am going to say United will get a lucky draw to try to get them onside.”