Football News: Premier League Preview Bournemouth v Crystal Palace 1 October 2018
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Bournemouth v Crystal Palace
Bournemouth's excellent start to the season hit a bit of a brick wall last time out as they were soundly beaten 4-0 at Turf Moor. This is their first chance to make up for that defeat, which they will be itching to do.
They are unbeaten in four at the Vitality Stadium in the league, and have only lost two of their last 13 games there in the Premier League, so their home record is more than impressive, and they will use that to try and get over their heaviest league defeat since last December.
They have a strong record against Palace - just one defeat in their last eight league meetings, although they have only won one of their last five at home, and never in the Premier League.
Roy Hodgson's Crystal Palace are unbeaten in three in all competitions, and have won three of their last five. In fact, away from home they have been superb of late, winning three in a row (without conceding in any of those) and five of their last six. They had only one five of 25 prior to this on their travels in all competitions. They last won four in a row away from home in February 2015 (five straight wins), highlighting how impressive this run is.
This is Bournemouth's sixth Premier League games on a Monday and they've won none of the previous five, losing four (albeit those four have been against Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City).
Crystal Palace meanwhile, don't far much better on Mondays - winning only once in their last seven league games on this day, so both have unwanted form to put right tonight.
Three of Eddie Howe's five home league meetings as a manager against Palace have been draws (one win, one loss), so perhaps that is a sign that this match will be an even contest. And both matches between these two teams last season were 2-2 draws - the only matchup in the 2017-18 Premier League to see both teams score 2+ goals in both meetings. Let's hope for more of the same excitement tonight!
Key players:
Ryan Fraser - Having been directly involved in five goals in his last four home league games, scoring four and assisting one, Eddie Howe's side will hope to use his strong form to their advantage again today. He also assisted one of the Cherries' goals in their last game against Palace in April.
Wilfried Zaha - Not only did the forward score against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium last season, Zaha has netted three of Palace's four league goals this season, and is undoubtedly the player they look to for inspiration. In fact, he's scored in all three of their away league games so far this season.
Written by Reid the Red October 01 2018 11:47:59
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