Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew has pressure on his shoulders to turn the side’s poor form around.
Crystal Palace welcome AFC Bournemouth to Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, and are desperate for a win after their poor start to the new season, following on from last season’s hangover.
Alan Pardew’s side have endured a forgettable 2016, and such poor form has crept into the new campaign. However, their recent signing of striker Christian Benteke, coupled with superior home form to Bournemouth’s travel-sickness could see a long-awaited win this weekend.
Crystal Palace finally have a goalscorer to convert the chances
Crystal Palace recently signed Liverpool striker Christian Benteke to lead the line this season, and the Belgian international could make an instant impact given his skill-set. Benteke boasts an aerial threat and is capable of steering crosses into the back of the net so he should hold his own against most Premier League defenders.
He’s scored 51 goals in 96 Premier League starts for Liverpool and Aston Villa, and his goals is something Palace have sorely lacked. The Eagles failed to score in nine league games in 2016, scoring more than one goal in just 4/21 outings. They have wingers who whip balls into the box but have had nobody to tuck the chances away so Benteke’s influence could see goals return to Selhurst Park when Bournemouth make the trip on Saturday.
Bournemouth’s poor defensive record on the road could be exploitable
Bournemouth have a real Achilles heel with their defensive record away from home in the Premier League which could see them coming unstuck to Crystal Palace as a result. The Cherries have kept just two clean sheets from 10 away games in 2016, and ended the season conceding 22 from their last nine games overall in the Premier League. Crystal Palace have been good at home despite not always winning, so they’ll go into this weekend’s clash with confidence.
The Eagles ended the 2015/16 campaign strongly at home, winning two and drawing one of their last three games at Selhurst Park, conceding just one goal for their troubles. After losing to Bournemouth at home in February last season, Crystal Palace will have revenge of their mind on Saturday, and are coming off the back of a home win over Blackpool in the EFL Cup to have some momentum going into their next Premier League fixture. Crystal Palace are 13/10 to win against Bournemouth at Selhusrt Park on Saturday afternoon as a result. Can Alan Pardew’s men finally respond?
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