AFC Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Bournemouth have been exceptional under Andoni Iroala this season, as the Cherries sit in fifth place in the Premier League after 17 games played this season.

The hosts are unbeaten in their previous five league games, with four wins and a draw - following their 3-0 win at Old Trafford against Manchester United. Crystal Palace's recent defensive woes should allow Bournemouth to exploit them, as the Eagles have failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous four.

Following their spell of good recent form, Crystal Palace has lost their last two consecutive domestic games.
Expect goals for both sides in this fixture, as both teams have scored in seven of the last nine involving Bournemouth and six of the previous seven involving Crystal Palace - with Over 2.5 goals scored in six of the last eight involving the Cherries and four of the last five involving the Eagles.

We predict a Bournemouth win, and a comfortable one at that.

AFC Bournemouth 3-1 Crystal Palace

High-flying Bournemouth will be confident ahead of this game as they host a Crystal Palace side deep-rooted into the bottom of the half table.

Date: 26/12/2024
Location: Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth.
Kick-Off: 3 PM

AFC Bournemouth have been one of the success stories of this fascinating Premier League season. Andoni Iraola has rightly received plaudits for his overachievement with this Bournemouth side, which has seen the Cherries elevate themselves up the table. Heading into this game, the Cherries are in fifth place, and a win against Crystal Palace will move them into the top four. However, this would require Nottingham Forest to lose against Tottenham Hotspur.

As for Crystal Palace, Oliver Glasner experienced a change of fortune with his team, compared to the one that finished the season excellently last season. Crystal Palace are 11 places behind the Cherries heading into this game, and they are still firmly involved in the relegation battle. The Eagles are four points clear of the relegation zone, and a win would move them above Everton, who have Manchester City away from home.

AFC Bournemouth won both of the Premier League meetings last season, recording a 1-0 victory at the Vitality Stadium and a 2-0 win at Selhurst Park.

The game will be available to watch on Amazon Prime.

Alex Scott and Marcos Senesi are expected to remain unavailable for Andoni Iroala.

Crystal Palace will be without the likes of Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton.

The recent history between the two sides, slightly favours the in-form Bournemouth side led by Andoni Iraola. Bournemouth have won three of the last five meetings in all competitions, which includes an 11-10 penalty shootout victory for the hosts in 2020. In the Premier League, Crystal Palace won three of the previous five meetings, with the last draw taking place in 2018. This fixture doesn’t tend to provide many goals, as less than 2.5 goals have been scored in the previous seven meetings between the two teams, and less than 4.5 cards are being brandished. In recent meetings, the Eagles have had a relatively decent record at the Vitality Stadium, as they have won two of the last three meetings and two consecutive clean sheets.

AFC Bournemouth has been exceptional this season, and the Cherries have been unbeaten in their previous five Premier League matches, with four wins and a draw from five. The Cherries have recorded victories over Wolves (2-4), Tottenham Hotspur (1-0), Ipswich Town (1-2) and most recently a 3-0 demolition of a bewildered Manchester United side. Bournemouth’s games have been entertaining, with over 2.5 goals scored in six of the last eight games involving the Cherries.

Bournemouth has been relatively strong at home, with four wins from their last six at the Vitality Stadium. The hosts have recorded wins over Arsenal (2-0), Manchester City (2-1), and Tottenham Hotspur (1-0). However, they did suffer a defeat against Brighton and Hove Albion (1-2).

Crystal Palace's recent defensive woes should allow Bournemouth to exploit them, as the Eagles have failed to keep a clean sheet in their previous four. Following their spell of good recent form, Crystal Palace lost their last two consecutive domestic games, both of which were against Arsenal, and one scoreline was closer than the other. In the EFL Cup, the Eagles lost 3-2 but the league game posed more questions as Crystal Palace were beaten heavily 5-1 at the hands of the Gunners.

Away from home, Crystal Palace have won twice in their eight away league games, having drawn three and losing three. The Eagles have scored 11 and conceded 11 away from home, with their most away league form being relatively successful. The Eagles have won their last two away league games against Brighton and Hove Albion (1-3) & Ipswich Town (0-1).

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