Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace predictions: In-form Cherries looking good for victory
- Bournemouth have won four of their last five games
- Crystal Palace have suffered three away defeats in the league
- Recommended bet: Bournemouth to win
Bournemouth will be looking to continue their European pursuit when they welcome relegation-threatened Crystal Palace to the Vitality Stadium on Boxing Day.
Palace’s improved form was torn apart by Arsenal twice in a matter of days, losing 3-2 at the Emirates in the Carabao Cup and then suffering a 5-1 mauling at Selhurst Park on Saturday.
Bournemouth have clicked into gear over the last few weeks and find themselves in the mix for a top-four finish.
Team news
Bournemouth will be without five first-team players once again, with Marcos Senesi, Julian Araujo, Alex Scott, Luis Sinisterra and Marcus Tavernier all sidelined.
Adam Smith will be assessed after being forced off in the 3-0 victory at Manchester United.
Palace are hoping that Eberechi Eze can make his return to the side, after missing the weekend defeat to Arsenal.
Adam Wharton, Chadi Riad, Matheus Franca, Franco Umeh-Chibueze and Rob Holding are all on the sidelines, but Daniel Munoz should return after serving a suspension.
The stats
Palace have managed just one win against top-half teams this term.
Bournemouth have won four of their previous six matches at home.
The Cherries have conceded just 0.88 goals per home game this season.
Bournemouth have the fifth-highest number of shots on target so far.
Palace convert shots on target at the joint-worst rate in the division.
Bournemouth have racked up 34.3 expected goals this season, the third-highest rate in the league.
Prediction
After such a slow start to Andoni Iraola’s debut campaign, the mood is much better around the Vitality Stadium this term.
The Cherries spent Christmas fifth in the Premier League, having won four of their previous five games in an unbeaten period, the most recent a brilliant 3-0 win at Old Trafford.
Palace head into this clash fresh from consecutive defeats, shipping eight goals in the process and they look vulnerable to another loss.
Bournemouth have been good value for their impressive points haul this term, as they have racked up the third-highest expected goals tally in the division with 34.3.
The Cherries are also performing to expectations defensively, so there is no hint of overperformance from their surprise Champions League push.
They have conceded just 0.88 goals per game at home this season, which should help them against a Palace side who struggle to finish their chances.
The Eagles have already lost three away trips this term in the league in what has been an inconsistent season for Oliver Glasner’s side.
Given the level Bournemouth are playing at right now, they appear well priced to take all three points.
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