Verdict: Bournemouth win
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to extend on their remarkable European charge, Bournemouth will welcome Crystal Palace to the Vitality on Boxing Day afternoon.
Bournemouth
Starting with the hosts, putting in a sensational performance last weekend as they stormed their way to a famous 3-0 romp against Manchester United, Bournemouth have continued on a remarkable romp this season. With Andoni Iraola’s reputation at a red-hot high, the Cherries are riding a real wave of momentum. Remarkably opening the Boxing Day fixtures sat in the European spots, the former Rayo Vallecano boss will be calling on his high-flying squad to lay down another marker here. Mounting a dramatic comeback away at relegation scrappers Ipswich earlier in the month as they claimed a 2-1 victory, Bournemouth have collected 13 points from their previous five Premier League appearances. Signing off November with an action-packed 4-2 win away at Wolves, it should also be noted that Iraola’s side have suffered just a sole defeat at the Vitality since the middle of September.
Bournemouth Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Bournemouth will once again be without the likes of Marcus Tavernier, Luis Sinisterra, Alex Scott and summer recruit Julian Araujo. USA international Tyler Adams will be hoping to keep his spot in the middle of the park alongside Ryan Christie.
Finding the net away at Old Trafford last weekend and reportedly attracting plenty of heavyweight January interest, Ghana international Antoine Semenyo will play a leading role in the final third. Enjoying what has been a real breakout campaign, former Juventus youngster Dean Huijsen will partner Ilya Zabarnyi at the back.
Crystal Palace
As for the visitors, while Crystal Palace might have opened December in the midst of a much-needed flurry, Oliver Glasner’s side have come crashing back down to earth over the past week. Watching their EFL Cup adventure come to an end last week as they fell to an action-packed 3-2 defeat at the Emirates, Thursday’s guests suffered another major blow last time out. Putting in a nightmare performance at Selhurst Park as they slumped to a 5-1 drumming at the hands of Arsenal, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss will also have a mounting headache over his side’s extended issues at the back. Along with shipping eight goals in their back-to-back defeats against Arsenal over the past week, Palace have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions. It should also be noted, Glasner’s men fell to a 1-0 loss when they travelled to the Vitality back in April.
Crystal Palace Team News
Missing out against Arsenal last weekend with a foot injury, England international Eberechi Eze remains a doubt on Boxing Day. Likewise, not making a single appearance across any competition since the end of October, midfield talisman Adam Wharton will not travel to the Vitality on Thursday afternoon.
Still waiting to open his Premier League account after arriving from Arsenal over the summer, Eddie Nketiah will likely settle for another spot on the bench. Chelsea loanee Trevoh Chalobah could be handed a full recall and replace USA international Chris Richards at the back.
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace Key Factors to Consider
- When Bournemouth and Crystal Palace last met back in April, the Cherries collected a 1-0 victory at the Vitality.
- Bournemouth have collected 13 points from their previous five Premier League appearances.
- Crystal Palace lost back-to-back matchups against Arsenal over the past week by an aggregate score of 8-3.
- The Eagles have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous 10 appearances across all competitions.
- Bournemouth have suffered just a single Premier League defeat at the Vitality since the middle of September.
Conclusion
Storming their way to another sensational 3-0 romp away at Manchester United last weekend, Bournemouth are riding a real wave of momentum. Collecting 10 points from their previous four Premier League appearances, Thursday’s hosts find themselves sat in the European spots. With Crystal Palace crashing back down to earth over the past week and showing some real defensive issues, the Eagles should also be concerned by their most recent trip to the South Coast. Hit with a 1-0 loss at the Vitality back in April, we are expecting a similar outcome here.
Verdict: Bournemouth win
Best Odds: 1/1
Bookmaker: Dachbet
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