Manchester United vs. Crystal Palace preview

The draw for the Quarter-Finals of the English League Cup was made on the 29th of October 2011. Remaining in the tournament are 6 Premier League squads, along with 2 Championship clubs.

In this particular article I will give a brief explanation regarding Manchester United's  and Crystal Palace's form in the 2011/12 season, then I shall clarify the Fourth Round matches that ensured qualification to the Quarter-Finals for the aforementioned teams, I will then finalise with a short match prediction.

The Red Devils' current standing in the Premiership sees them reside in 2nd position, just behind bitter rivals Manchester City by a total of 5 points. Their form in the Premier League leaves much to be desired; even with the results they have been acquiring. What United are lacking most at the moment is a solid central midfielder. Anyone looking at the best online Carling Cup betting should remember this.

This is possibly the reason why Man United have been underperforming so far this season. In the 2011/12 season, Palace currently sit in 10th position and are a mere 2 points off a play-off place.

Current manager – Dougie Freedman - has acquired some fantastic results along with the installation of a great team spirit, which has maintained Palace's good performances. To gain qualification into the Quarter-Finals of the League Cup, Manchester United dominated the League Two outfit Aldershot with a deserved 0-3 away victory with goals from: Bulgarian national Dimitar Berbatov in the 15th minute, English national Michael Owen in the 51st minute and Ecuadorian international Antonio Valencia in the 48th minute.

Crystal Palace's method of qualification was via a 2-0 home victory against the on form Southampton. It was a close match but The Eagles certainly deserved their victory.

My match prediction for the encounter between Manchester United and Crystal Palace, hosted at the Old Trafford, would have to be 4-0 to the home side. United are far too equipped to be beaten by a Championship side, especially so when the stakes are high. If Sir Alex Ferguson – the current manager of The Red Devils – fields a first team, then United could make the score line even greater.
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