With Premier League matches coming in thick and fast, all the teams will be hoping to get into gear and pick up good results before the festive period.
Crystal Palace host Manchester United in a rematch of last season’s FA Cup final on Wednesday night – that previous tie ended in a dramatic 2-1 victory for the Red Devils.
United are buoyed by their recent 1-0 home win against Tottenham Hotspur, but Jose Mourinho will be wary of Crystal Palace’s attacking threat – Pardew’s men have scored eleven goals in their last three games.
Team news for Crystal Palace: Midfielder Jason Puncheon is suspended for the match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
Team news for Manchester United: Attacking midfielder, Henrikh Mkhitaryan who was the match-winner against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, is out with an ankle injury.
Right back Antonio Valencia is suspended for the match after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
Here, we analyse four key battles for the crunch match at Selhurst Park on Wednesday night:
1. Christian Benteke vs. Phil Jones
Christian Benteke has scored four goals in his last three games for Palace and he will surely want to add his goal tally against United.
However, he will need to get past United’s rejuvenated centre-back Phil Jones who has played in the last five consecutive league games and will want to keep up his good form.
2. Wilfred Zaha vs. Marcos Rojo
With Antonio Valencia suspended, Matteo Darmian could take his place at right back while Marcos Rojo shifts to left back.
Rojo will need to put in his best performance as he will face former United winger, Wilfred Zaha who is in pretty decent form.
3. James McArthur vs. Ander Herrera
At the centre of the park, a midfield battle between James McArthur and Ander Herrera could well hold the key to which team emerge victorious at the final whistle.
4. Scott Dann vs. Zlatan Ibrahimovich
Expect some feisty encounters inside Palace’s penalty box as Zlatan Ibrahimovic will hope to exploit Palace’s defence with a goal or two from set-pieces while Scott Dann will be in charge to tighten the leaky defence that has conceded eight goals in their last three matches.