This week’s Monday Night Football takes place at Dean Court as Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth meet Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Both teams have made considerable progress compared to this time last season but who will reign supreme here or are we heading for another epic draw?
Team news
Embed from Getty ImagesBournemouth could be without Diego Rico (hamstring) and Dan Gosling (calf) for the visit of Crystal Palace.
Charlie Daniels isn’t ready to feature here as he continues his recovery from a knee injury whilst Kyle Taylor has a calf issue.
Crystal Palace are without star striker, Christian Benteke whose knee niggle is still under monitoring by medics.
Jairo Riedewald is also absent after picking up an injury during Palace’s Carabao Cup win in midweek.
Form
Having taken seven points from their opening three games, Bournemouth have lost two of their last three.
Goals wise, they have scored ten goals so far compared to four at this stage last season but defence is a worry. The Cherries have conceded in each of last five and at least twice in last four alone.
Crystal Palace meanwhile have made a better start than last season with seven points but their two wins so far have come away from Selhurst Park, whilst they have scored in all three away matches.
Stat Attack
- Four of six Premier League meetings between these teams have ended in draws, with both teams also winning one each at one another’s ground.
- Both of last season’s meetings finished 2-2 with all goals at Dean Court coming after half time compared to before the break at Selhurst Park in the reverse fixture.
- Between them, Bournemouth and Palace are a combined 11 points better off than at this stage last season (Bournemouth – 7, Palace – 4).
- Crystal Palace have scored four goals compared to their zero at this stage last season.
- Wilfried Zaha’s three goals for Palace so far this season have all come on the road after initially receiving a yellow card.
Prediction
Goals might be Crystal Palace’s biggest problem but they tend to do well on the road. Bournemouth however are a more attacking side this season so I fancy a Cherries win here.
Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Crystal Palace
Jake predicts: Bournemouth 2-2 Crystal Palace
Result: Bournemouth 2-1 Crystal Palace