Rasmus Hojlund can fire United to cup success (Picture: Reuters)
There’s little separating Manchester United and Crystal Palace in the Premier League table and it could be a similar story when the two teams meet at Old Trafford in the Carabao Cup.
United have crept into the top half following Saturday night’s 1-0 victory at Burnley, leapfrogging the Eagles into ninth place.
Erik ten Hag’s underachievers are one spot and a solitary point ahead of Roy Hodgson‘s side after they were held to a 0-0 draw at home to Fulham at the weekend and both clubs have a negative goal difference with United on -3 and Palace on -1.
Scoring goals has been a problem both managers have struggled to solve, despite United managing three in their Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich as well as in the five-goal rollercoaster against Nottingham Forest, while the Eagles have also found it difficult to get the scoreboard ticking over.
By one of the strange coincidences cup draws love to dish out, United entertain Palace again on Saturday, virtually guaranteeing there will be numerous changes for the knockout competition.
One of the players likely to keep his place in the United ranks is Rasmus Hojlund, who may be given added playing time after missing the first month of the season through injury.
Roy Hodgson is likely to name a much changed side (Picture: Getty Images)
His only goal in four matches since his £72million move from Atalanta was against Bayern, while he also fired blanks for Denmark against San Marino and Finland on international duty, so this would be the perfect opportunity to stick away a chance and gain some confidence.
Hojlund is 9/2 with William Hill to break the deadlock and 8/5 with the same firm to score at any time while under 2.5 goals is 11/10 with Betfair.
United should shade this, with Eagles boss Hodgson expected to make wholesale changes, just as he did in the 4-2 victory at Plymouth in the previous round, and a slightly flattering 2-0 home win is 7/1 with BoyleSports and Betfred.
Luton face a huge game against fellow top-flight strugglers Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday and are also likely to field a skeleton crew for their tie at Exeter, who are 4/1 with Bet Victor to cause an upset by winning in 90 minutes.
Championship high-fliers Ipswich can also pull off a shock by beating Wolves at Portman Road and are 7/4 to prevail in normal time.
• England weren’t at their best in their opening Nations League match against Scotland but still found a way to win and now the Lionesses can prove too strong for the Netherlands in Utrecht.
Sarina Wiegman’s side are 7/5 to win with SpreadEx while Lauren Hemp is 13/2 with Sky Bet to open the scoring and 13/5 with William Hill to find the net at any time.
• Portsmouth are off to a flying start in League One and are top of the table after impressive wins at Barnsley then over Lincoln at a rocking Fratton Park in the last week. Pompey are 9/2 with Betfair and Paddy Power to go up as champions and 17/10 to be promoted.
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