Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace: Preview, Prediction & Betting Tips

Crystal Palace make the trip to Bournemouth, with both teams hoping for three points in order to climb the Premier League table.

Date: 02/04/24

Kick-off time: 19:45

Venue: Vitality Stadium

This is a clash between two mid-table sides who should be safe from relegation. Bournemouth are 13th with 38 points, and are 16 above the bottom three, so they should enjoy a comfortable end to the season, potentially even threatening a top half finish. Wolves are above them in 10th, but the Cherries trail them by just three points, so they are positioned well to make a push in the final stretch.

Palace’s position is a little less secure, though they are eight points ahead of 18th place Luton. They only have one win in their last five, but there are three other teams who sit between them and the relegation zone. A victory against Bournemouth would give them an even greater cushion, but defeat might leave them nervously looking over their shoulders with less than 10 games remaining.

The visitors are not potent in front of goal, only three teams have scored less than their 34 goals this season. After beating Burnley 3-0 in new manager Oliver Glasner’s first game, they have scored three goals in three games, two of those coming from Jean-Philippe Mateta, who should be amongst their main threats alongside Eberechi Eze. Dominic Solanke will be hoping to add to his tally of 16 goals for the hosts against a defence who has kept just one clean sheet since November. Only Erling Haaland has scored more in the division.

In the last six Premier League meetings, Palace have dominated, winning five and losing just one. However, that one defeat came in the reverse fixture earlier this season in which Bournemouth won 2-0 at Selhurst Park. Marcos Senesi and Kieffer Moore were the goal scorers on that day. At the Vitality, the visitors have played well, winning three of the last five games.

Bournemouth

Luis Sinisterra, Ryan Fredericks and Marcos Senesi remain out, though Senesi is further along in his recovery. Bournemouth have no new injuries to contend with otherwise.

Crystal Palace

Sam Johnstone underwent season ending elbow surgery after sustaining the injury on international duty. Marc Guehi is a long-term absentee as is Matheus Franca, but Michael Olise is nearing a return, though this game may come too soon. Cheick Doucoure could also return.

Bournemouth

In their last five games, Bournemouth have won three, drawn one and lost one. Their most recent game was against Everton, in which they won 2-1 at home. They took the lead through Dominic Solanke, but Everton thought they had salvaged a point when Beto equalised late on. The Cherries secured three points after a disaster at the back in which Seamus Coleman converted into his own net.

This followed a thrilling 4-3 win against Luton Town, their last game before the international break. They were 3-0 down at half-time after goals from Tahith Chong, Chiedozie Ogbene and Ross Barkley. Seemingly dead and buried, Dominic Solanke pulled one back shortly after the restart to give them a glimmer of hope. This hope turned into optimism as Illia Zabarnyi pulled another back soon after to make it 3-2. This then became disbelief when Antoine Semenyo levelled the game just two minutes later. The turnaround was complete with seven minutes to go, as Semenyo completed his brace. In this comeback, they became the first Premier League side since 2003 to achieve this feat.

It was a stunning response to some disappointing dropped points at home to Sheffield United. The league’s bottom side found themselves two up following goals from Gustavo Hamer and Jack Robinson. The Cherries were determined not to lose though, as strikes from Dango Ouattara and Enes Unal pegged them back in stoppage time.

Burnley were on the end of a 2-0 defeat against Bournemouth. Justin Kluivert and Semenyo scored either side of half-time to secure victory. This stretch began with FA Cup elimination against Championship side Leicester. Abdul Fatawu’s extra-time goal proved to be the difference after the game ended 0-0 in regulation.

Crystal Palace

In their last five games, Crystal Palace have won one, lost one and drawn three. Under new management, Palace are enduring an inconsistent stretch. The first game was a 1-1 draw at Everton. They had taken the lead through Jordan Ayew midway into the second half, but Amadou Onana salvaged a point late on.

Oliver Glasner managed his first game against Burnley, and he got off to the perfect start as they won 3-0 at Selhurst Park. The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the first half, but Palace did not take advantage of their extra man until the 68th minute as Chris Richards found the back of the net. This seemed to ease the tension as Ayew and Jean-Philippe Mateta added two more.

This preceded a 3-1 loss at Tottenham. The hosts came from behind after Eberechi Eze opened the scoring in the 59th minute. But the game was turned on its head in 11 minutes as goals from Timo Werner, Cristian Romero and Heung-Min Son condemned Palace to defeat. More dropped points came at home to Luton, though this one ended in heart-breaking fashion. Mateta gave the Eagles an early 11th minute lead, and this was an advantage they held for almost the entire match. Seemingly headed for victory, the Hatters scored in the 96th minute through Cauley Woodrow to share the points.

Their most recent game was a trip to strugglers Nottingham Forest. It ended 1-1 as Chris Wood cancelled out Mateta’s opener.

Both teams have been had mixed results as of late, so there should not be much to split the pair in this one. However, the hosts have been finding of the back of the net at an increased rate recently and their offensive talent and home advantage may edge it for them – Bournemouth 2-1 Crystal Palace

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Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace will not be available to watch on TV in the UK.

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