Hot on the heels of the FA Cup exit at the hands of Manchester City, the Eagles head to the South Coast to get back to league duty against AFC Bournemouth.
The hosts have impressed this season after dabbling with positions in and around the top ten. The high profile addition of Jack Wilshere from Arsenal is proving to be a shrewd one as his influence on the Cherries midfield has been clear for all to see.
This fixture is the first of a handful of matches that will likely shape the remainder of the season for the Eagles having dropped into the bottom three with defeat at home to Everton. Now that Sam Allardyce has has time to assess the squad of players at hs disposal and make the appropriate more in the transfer that he deems neccessary, he will no doubt be looking to return to South London with a point or three.
TEAM NEWS (courtesy of Physio Room)
CRYSTAL PALACE – Scott Dann and Wilfried Zaha should both be available for selection while Jeffrey Schlupp (hamstring) and Julian Speroni (knee) are doubts. Connor Wickham (knee), Steve Mandanda (knee), Jonathan Benteke (knee) and Pape Souare all continue to miss out.
AFC BOURNEMOUTH – The only injury concern for Eddie Howe is Marc Wilson (hamstring) who is doubtful.
ACTION REPLAY
The last time the two sides met was back in August as the visitors took an early lead courtesy of Joshua King. Palace were given a great opportunity to level things up from the spot but Yohan Cabaye failed to convert. However, the Eagles never gave up and finally equalised in injury time as Scott Dann found the net to thwart the Cherries.
Who Scored man of the match – Jason Puncheon (9.2)
FORM GUIDE
Last FIVE meetings between the two sides (in fact the clubs have only played each other three times);
- 27/08/2016: Crystal Palace 1-1 Bournemouth
- 02/02/2016: Crystal Palace 1-2 Bournemouth
- 26/12/2015: Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace
Last FIVE results for Palace;
- 28/01/2017: Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City
- 21/01/2017: Crystal Palace 0-1 Everton
- 17/01/2017: Crystal Palace 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
- 14/01/2017: West Ham United 3-0 Crystal Palace
- 07/01/2017: Bolton Wanderers 0-0 Crystal Palace
Last FIVE results for Bournemouth;
- 21/01/2017: Bournemouth 2-2 Watford
- 14/01/2017: Hull City 3-1 Bournemouth
- 07/01/2017: Millwall 3-0 Bournemouth
- 03/01/2017: Bournemouth 3-3 Arsenal
- 31/12/2017: Swansea City 0-3 Bournemouth
FORM PLAYERS (courtesy of Who Scored)
Top two rated players from each team so far this season;
- Wilfried Zaha 7.51
- Christian Benteke 7.30
- Steve Cook 7.14
- Simon Francis 7.07
ONE TO WATCH
JUNIOR STANISLAS
The 27 year old began his career in the youth set up at West Ham United and made his first team debut in 2008. After making 42 appearances and scoring 5 goals for the Hammers, which included a loan spell at Southend United, he moved to Burnley on a three year deal for a undisclosed fee in 2011. In his time at Turf Moor he made 93 appearances and scored 7 goals before the Kidbrooke born winger signed for Bournemouth in 2014. Stanislas has represented England at both under 20 and under 21 levels.
PREDICTION
Final league position – 15th
Eddie Howe has overseen his side keep themselves well above the bottom three for the majority of the season and sit well placed in mid table. A good season for the Cherries will no doubt be staying in the Premier League and they have given themselves more than a fighting chance.
- TEB prediction – away win
- Tales From The South Stand prediction (see link below) – home win
- Who Scored prediction – home win
BETTING ODDS (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home – 21/20
- Draw – 12/5
- Away – 13/5
- Both teams to score – 4/6
FIND OUT WHAT THE GUYS AT TALES FROM THE SOUTH STAND TOLD TEB THIS WEEK IN THE BOURNEMOUTH VIEW
