Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace: Preview & Prediction

Resurgent Bournemouth host in-form Crystal Palace at Dean Court in their first game after Christmas, having hauled themselves out of the relegation zone in recent weeks, despite an injury crisis.

Eddie Howe’s men have won their last three games, includes victories against Chelsea and Manchester United, and are unbeaten in five.

Last weekend’s late 2-1 win at West Bromwich Albion moved them up to 14th, four points clear of the drop zone.

However, the Cherries will be looking to improve their home form as they’ve won just two of their eight matches in Dorset this term.

The visitors are chasing European football and have gone four games since losing, with the Eagles’ most-recent outing producing a 2-1 win at Stoke City.

Away from Selhurst Park, Alan Pardew’s side have won 11 of 17 league matches in 2015 and have recorded five victories from eight this term.

The two sides have not faced each other in over 26 years, when the Cherries ran-out 3-2 winners at Selhurst Park back in March 1989.

Team News:

Junior Stanislas and Josh King are the two newest injury concerns for the depleted Cherries, who are without Callum Wilson and Tyrone Mings for the long-term.

Winger Max Gradel is out until February, while Tommy Elphick and Christian Atsu will not return until the New Year.

Lee Tomlin could return to the squad after missing the last five matches.

Frenchman Yohan Cabaye (ankle) is set to miss his second game in a row for Palace, while Mile Jedinak (ankle) might also have to sit out another game.

Connor Wickham (knock) is also a doubt but Bakary Sako could return from a hamstring injury.

League position: Bournemouth – 14th (19 pts); Crystal Palace – 6th (29 pts)
Last meeting: Crystal Palace 2-3 Bournemouth – March 4, 1989
League form: Bournemouth – LDDWWW; Crystal Palace – WLWDWW
Key players: Bournemouth – Matt Ritchie; Crystal Palace – Yannick Bolasie
Shoot says: Bournemouth 2-2 Crystal Palace