After just a couple of games into the new Premier League season, the bottom two clubs face each other at Selhurst Park, both keen to get some points on the board ahead of the first international break.
The arrival of Christian Benteke in South London has been welcomed across the fan base but going into the weekend there has been more speculation of an unhappy Wilfried Zaha. Tottenham, who beat the Eagles last weekend, tabled a £15 million bid for the winger which has been rejected but this is another story that is unlikely to go away any time soon.
Visitors Bournemouth have so far lacked the intensity from their game that won them many plaudits last season and like Palace, are playing catching even at this early stage. A morale boosting midweek cup win may give them some confidence ahead of the trip to face the Eagles in a fixture that they returned home with all three points last time out.
Alan Pardew opted to play a strong side against Blackpool in the midweek in an effort to get players match fit and for others to find their form. The game saw debuts for Benteke, Steve Mandanda and a full debut for centre back James Tomkins so it will be interesting to see what decisions Pardew makes line up wise to take on the Cherries.
TEAM NEWS
CRYSTAL PALACE – Wayne Hennessey, Joe Ledley and Sullay KaiKai all have knocks while Damien Delaney has an ankle injury so are questionable. Definitely missing out are Jonny Williams (foot), Fraizer Campbell (hamstring) and Bakary Sako (groin). Christian Benteke and Steve Mandanda will be pushing for their league debut after staring in the midweek cup win. Yohan Cabaye, James McArthur and James Tomkins will also be pushing for starts.
BOURNEMOUTH – Tyrone Mings (knee) and Baily Cargill are the only two injury concerns for the visitors while Harry Arter misses out through suspension.
ACTION REPLAY
The visit of Bournemouth back in February found Palace in a real slump after a fantastic first half of the season. The signs were good as Scott Dann gave the Eagles the lead but the visitors battled back to level through Marc Pugh with Benik Afobe scoring the winner not long into the second half.
FORM GUIDE
Last FIVE meetings between the two sides;
- 02/02/2016: Crystal Palace 1-2 Bournemouth
- 26/12/2015: Bournemouth 0-0 Crystal Palace
- 04/03/1989: Crystal Palace 2-3 Bournemouth
- 12/11/1988: Bournemouth 2-0 Crystal Palace
- 02/04/1988: Crystal Palace 3-0 Bournemouth
The South Coast club have had the better of the last few meetings between the sides having won three of the last five. Palace’s last win against the Cherries was in 1988 but the two have only faced each other four times in the twenty-eight years that have followed.
Last FIVE results for Palace;
- Crystal palace 2-0 Blackpool
- Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 Crystal Palace
- Crystal Palace 0-1 West Bromwich Albion
- Crystal Palace 1-2 Manchester United
- Southampton 4-1 Crystal Palace
Last FIVE results for Bournemouth;
- Morecambe 1-2 Bournemouth
- West Ham United 1-0 Bournemouth
- Bournemouth 1-3 Manchester United
- Manchester United 3-1 Bournemouth
- Bournemouth 1-1 West Bromwich Albion
FORM PLAYERS (courtesy of Who Scored)
Top two rated players from each team so far this season;
- Andros Townsend 7.52
- Adam Smith 7.14
- Scott Dann 7.07
- Steve Cook 6.89
WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
“We are making changes to try to take the team in a new direction, you could see that against Blackpool in midweek. You can have ups and downs with players. I have no problem with Wilf whatsoever, I completely understand what has gone on. He is our player of the year and a player that I see in my plans going forward.” – ALAN PARDEW courtesy of BBC Sport.
“We had two tough games against Palace last season. There was not much between us in those games. They have recruited well so we know they will be organised and difficult to beat. Every game in this league is so tight and there does not tend to be much between the sides. One moment can change a game.” EDDIE HOWE courtesy of the official Bournemouth website.
ONE TO WATCH
Performances from defender Adam Smith last season were a real highlight for this Bournemouth side but his campaign ended early due to injury. The former Spurs youngster had plenty of loan spells including Bournemouth, Millwall and MK Dons. The Cherries signed the twenty-five year old in 2014 on a three year deal. He has represented England at under 16, 17, 19, 20 and 21 levels but has yet to make an appearance for the full side.
PREDICTION
Final league position – 17th
The Cherries will have to be careful this season following their triumph last season having stayed in the top division at the first attempt. They are likely to be one of several clubs involved in a real battle towards the bottom of the table but they have enough about them to keep their heads above the bottom three. Having said that, any struggle for form as a team or individual players will have an effect as will injuries so getting points on the board as soon as possible is important.
- TEB prediction – home win
- The South Stand prediction (see link below) – draw
- Who Scored prediction – home win
BETTING ODDS (courtesy of Paddy Power)
- Home – 13/10
- Draw – 11/5
- Away – 23/10
- Both teams to score – 10/11
