Overview
Bournemouth are causing a big surprise in the Premier League this season, ranking 5th after 17 rounds. They have won 4 and drawn 1 in the last 5 rounds, including victories against "big guys" like Tottenham and Man United. Bournemouth has a scientific and effective pressing style of play and a squad that is in high form.
In the next match, Bournemouth will play at home Vitality to welcome Crystal Palace. Coach Andoni Iraola's team has won 4, drawn 2 and lost only 2 when playing at home.
In particular, they have defeated Tottenham, Arsenal and Man City when playing at their home ground. Notably, Bournemouth have only conceded 7 goals in 8 home matches this season.
In contrast to Bournemouth's excellent form, Crystal Palace have just lost two consecutive matches against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup and Premier League. Against a strong opponent like The Gunners, it is understandable that Crystal Palace lost.
However, conceding 8 goals in 2 matches is a headache for coach Oliver Glasner. Bournemouth will certainly look at the holes that Crystal Palace exposed in the last 2 matches and find a way to exploit them. With only 4 points above the relegation zone, Palace are in dire need of a win to break away.
In terms of head-to-head record, Bournemouth won all three of their games against Palace last season. Notably, Bournemouth kept a clean sheet in all of those victories.
Human resources situation
Like last week's game against Manchester United, Bournemouth will continue to be without Alex Scott, Julian Araujo, Luis Sinisterra, Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier.
On the other side of the front line, Eberechi Eze missed Crystal Palace's 1-5 defeat to Arsenal at the weekend and remains a doubt. However, Daniel Munoz could return after serving a one-match suspension.
Expected lineup:
Bournemouth: Kepa, Smith, Zabarnyi, Huijsen, Kerkez, Cook, Christie, Semenyo, Kluivert, Ouattara, Evanilson.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Chalobah, Lacroix, Guehi, Munoz, Hughes, Doucoure, Mitchell, Sarr, Kamada, Mateta.
The match between Bournemouth and Crystal Palace takes place at 22:00 on December 26 (Vietnam time).
