Bournemouth welcome Crystal Palace to the Vitality Stadium in their first home game since a takeover was completed.
Should Leicester lose at Liverpool on Friday evening, victory would see Bournemouth climb to 12th with Aston Villa not in action until New Year’s Day.
Palace meanwhile could go tenth with a win if Brentford fail to beat West Ham on Friday evening.
Team News
Marcus Tavernier is a doubt for Bournemouth as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
Ryan Fredericks, Junior Stanislas (both knock), Neto (hamstring) and David Brooks (fitness) remain absent.
Palace will be without Tyrick Mitchell and James Tomkins after the pair were red carded in a 3-0 defeat at home to Fulham on Boxing Day.
Marc Guehi returns from suspension but Sam Johnstone (coccyx), James McArthur (groin) and Nathan Ferguson (foot) both remain absent.
Stat Attack
- Bournemouth are winless in eight of ten previous Premier League meetings against Crystal Palace (W2, D4, L4).
- Palace are unbeaten in four of five previous Premier League visits to Bournemouth (W2, D2, L1).
- Bournemouth have failed to win any of three previous Premier League clashes against Palace in December (D2, L1).
- Three of Bournemouth’s last five league goals at home were scored by Kieffer Moore.
- Palace are looking to avoid suffering three consecutive league defeats for the first time since November-December 2021.
Prediction
Having endured a frustrating return from the World Cup break with four conceded goals without reply from two away games in all competitions, this is now a must-win for Bournemouth if they’re to enter 2023 with reignited belief that they can survive the drop.
This match is also their first home game under new ownership which should hopefully lift the atmosphere, especially after having enjoyed a clinical result against Everton in their last outing on home turf but they now need to improve defensively after a difficult defeat at Chelsea.
Palace meanwhile were totally outclassed by a dominant Fulham team with little quality on offer on top of poor discipline from Mitchell and Tomkins, although Guehi’s return should boost their defence especially given their away form in this fixture which should offer fresh hope of a win.
This match though does feel like it could be close because if the Cherries can deliver like they did in their last home game, and Palace improve their attacking edge then this could be a tough battle where defending could be crucial.
Prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Crystal Palace
Result: Bournemouth 0-2 Crystal Palace
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