Fifth-placed Bournemouth have plenty to cheer about as they enjoy the celebrations, and they have a great chance of extending their unbeaten run against Crystal Palace on Boxing Day.
The Cherries recorded their second 3-0 win at Old Trafford in just over a year on Sunday, as Andoni Iraola's side moved above defending champions Manchester City in the Premier League table. Bournemouth were one of the standout teams in 2024 and they have legitimate aspirations of securing their first ever taste of European football. They head into Thursday's match having won four of their previous five matches.
Palace had enjoyed an impressive run of defeats before facing them Arsenal Twice last week. Arsenal knocked them out of the Carabao Cup for the first time before losing 5-1 at Selhurst Park on Saturday. The result may have pleased the visitors, although Palace upset Mikel Arteta's side like few teams this season.
The Eagles' winter promotion means they are in 16th place and out of the relegation zone, but their barrier to 18th-placed Wolves is just four points.
here 90 minutes Guide to this boxing day Premier League clash.
Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace H2H record (last five matches)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Bournemouth |
Crystal Palace |
|---|---|
|
Manchester United 0-3 Bournemouth – 12/22/24 |
Crystal Palace 1-5 Arsenal – 12/21/24 |
|
Bournemouth 1-1 Manchester United – 12/16/24 |
Arsenal 3-2 Crystal Palace – 12/18/24 |
|
Ipswich Town 1-2 Bournemouth – 12/08/24 |
Brighton 1-3 Crystal Palace – 12/15/24 |
|
Bournemouth 1-0 Tottenham – 12/05/24 |
Crystal Palace 2-2 Man City – 12/07/24 |
|
Wolverhampton 2-4 Bournemouth – 30/11/24 |
Ipswich 0-1 Crystal Palace – 12/03/24 |
|
nation |
TV Channel/Live Broadcast |
|---|---|
|
UK |
Amazon Prime Video |
|
US |
peacock |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada, Fubo Sports Network 5 Canada |
The Cherries' injury list has been unchanged since their win at Old Trafford, with Andoni Iraola's side producing extremely impressive results without two key personnel.
Bournemouth is currently playing without centre-back Marcus Sensi due to a muscle injury and Marcus Tavernier due to a hamstring problem. Julian Araujo, Alex Scott and Luis Sinistera are also missing.
Evanilson shook off the hit to start Sunday and should be able to feature on Boxing Day. Expect Lewis Cook to return to Iraola's midfield to replace Tyler Adams.
Expected lineup for Bournemouth against Palace (4-2-3-1): Kiba; Smith, Zabarny, Howesen, Kirkes; Cook, Christy. Semenyu, Kluivert, Ouattara; Evanelson.
Eberechi Eze missed the defeat to Arsenal at the weekend with a foot injury, which is a doubt ahead of Thursday's trip to the South Coast. the castle The playmaker has struggled to find his best form this season, but missing him on Boxing Day would be a major blow.
Daichi Kamada attempted to fill Eze's void at the weekend, and the Japan international is likely to remain in the squad if the England international is not fit to feature.
The visitors are still without Adam Wharton due to a thigh injury. Shadi Riyad, who joined during the summer, is close to returning from a knee injury but will not return until 2025. Matthews Franca suffers a fractured rib.
Daniel Munoz is eligible to return from suspension.
Palace's expected lineup against Bournemouth (3-4-2-1):Henderson; Chalupa, Lacroix, Guayhi; Munoz, Hughes, Lerma, Mitchell; Sar, Kamada; Mattita.
Bournemouth enter the contest in good spirits, but a banana peel awaits them on Boxing Day. This game will be seen as a must-win for the hosts, but Palace have been impressive of late and you shouldn't read too much into Saturday's 5-1 defeat. That game was much closer than the score suggests.
Eze's absence is a major blow, but the Englishman has struggled for form this season, and Oliver Glasner has undoubtedly ensured that Palace will be a tough proposition once again. Bournemouth's direct style is capable of causing any problems in the Premier League, but the hosts may succumb to hints of complacency on Boxing Day.
After their highs at Old Trafford, Bournemouth could be forced to work hard by their visitors on Thursday.