Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth: Preview & Prediction

Crystal Palace host Bournemouth at Selhurst Park tonight in desperate need of a win to propel them back up the Premier League table and into European contention.

The Eagles have struggled since their early season heroics and have lost their last four league games on the trot, extending their winless streak to six outings, scoring just once.

That run of form has seen Alan Pardew’s side drop from fifth to 11th; with the South Londoners now trailing Manchester United, occupiers of the automatic Europa League spot, by six points.

However, Palace were victorious last time out against Stoke City, winning 1-0 in the fourth-round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Meanwhile, their opponents are not entirely out of the relegation picture just yet – while they are four points ahead of 18th placed Newcastle United, they have won just one of their last six matches.

Their last outing produced a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light with fellow strugglers Sunderland, in which Benik Afobe scored his second goal for the club since joining from Wolverhampton Wanderers last month.

Team News:

New signing Emmanuel Adebayor is set to be handed his debut by Eagles boss Alan Pardew after missing his team’s 1-0 victory over Stoke City in the FA Cup, especially with fellow forward Connor Wickham still suspended.

Club-record signing Benik Afobe is more likely to feature than not, while winger Junior Stanislas (Knee) is ruled out. Fellow forward Lewis Grabban could push for a starting place up front having re-joined Bournemouth from Norwich City during the January transfer window.

League Positions: Crystal Palace – 11th (31 pts); AFC Bournemouth – 16th (25 pts)
Previous Meeting: AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace – December 26, 2015
League Form: Crystal Palace – DDLLLL; AFC Bournemouth – DLDLWD
Key Players: Crystal Palace – Wilfried Zaha; AFC Bournemouth – Benik Afobe
Shoot Says: Crystal Palace 1-1 AFC Bournemouth