Bournemouth take on the visitors Crystal Palace in the round 18 match of English Premier League. The match will be played on Thursday, December 26th at Vitality Stadium (Bournemouth).
Bournemouth have built their success by relying on local young coaches. The Eddie Howe era was pivotal, Scott Parker brought them back to the Premier League, and Gary O’Neil kept them there two seasons ago. However, in the summer of 2023, the club opted for Andoni Iraola, a move that surprised many. Despite doubts, the Basque coach delivered a 12th-place finish in his debut season. Now, even after selling top scorer Dominic Solanke, Bournemouth find themselves in the top third of the table. They began winter with an impressive streak, defeating Wolverhampton, Ipswich, and even Tottenham. A draw against West Ham followed, but their 3-0 demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford underscored their current form.
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Crystal Palace are struggling but still dangerous. The Eagles parted ways with Roy Hodgson for the second time midway through last season. While officially attributed to health concerns, the quick appointment of Oliver Glasner suggested otherwise. The Austrian led Palace to a respectable 10th-place finish, but this season started poorly apart from some League Cup success. They struggled to win their first league game, finally breaking through in their ninth match after managing just three draws amidst several losses. Recently, Palace have steadied the ship. They’ve only lost to Fulham since their rough start, while securing wins over Tottenham and Ipswich. Notable results include draws against Newcastle and Manchester City, and an emphatic victory over Brighton in a heated rivalry. However, their Premier League outing against Arsenal showed their limitations, as they failed to compete effectively.
With a strong winter start and a statement win against Manchester United, Bournemouth’s confidence is sky-high. Despite a poor start, Palace have proven they can hold their own against top teams, as seen in their results against Newcastle and Manchester City. After a six-match winless run against Palace, Bournemouth secured victories in both encounters last season. The stronger team on current form, Bournemouth, will be playing at home. We recommend betting on a Cherries victory in this matchup.
Prediction for the match: Bournemouth to win.
