Crystal Palace host Bournemouth in a crucial clash in the race for European qualification.
Victory will lift Palace up to 11th if better Brentford’s result against Brighton, whilst Bournemouth will stay eighth with a win.
Team News
Palace have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 5-0 loss at Newcastle in midweek.
Cheick Doucoure and Chadi Riad (both knee) remain sidelined.
Bournemouth have no fresh injury concerns to report following their 1-0 victory at home to Fulham.
Justin Kluivert (fatigue) and Luis Sinisterra (hamstring) could return but Ryan Christie (groin) and Enes Unal (ACL) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Palace host Bournemouth at Selhurst Park on Saturday 19 April at 3pm BST, untelevised live in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Palace have avoided defeat in three of their last five meetings against Bournemouth (W2, D1, L2).
- Bournemouth have avoided defeat in four of their seven previous Premier League trips to Palace (W2, D2 L3).
- Bournemouth are yet to concede against Palace since Andoni Iraola took charge in June 2023.
- Eberechi Eze has been involved in 11 of Palace’s 41 league goals this season, having contributed three goals and eight assists in 28 appearances.
- Each of Bournemouth’s last four away trips to London-based opposition have ended in 2-2 draws (D4).
Prediction
Having conceded 10 goals in their last two matches and not been clinical enough at Newcastle, Palace really need to just regroup and rediscover their defensive solidness because if they lose this then they can forget any slim hope of snatching an UEFA Conference League qualification spot.
Bournemouth however aren’t exactly firing on all cylinders defensively but did a great job to dig in to snatch a clean sheet and victory against Fulham after a very-early opening goal, which should give them renewed confidence after a tough few weeks.
I however do expect Palace to mount a dangerous response to their defensive away implosions but if Bournemouth can once again defend resiliently, I can see the Cherries having enough to hold Oliver Glasner’s Eagles.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 1-1 Bournemouth
