After the game with Saints that finished all square, the Cherries make the relative short distance trip to London to meet Crystal Palace. They are now managed by Roy Hodgson the oldest ever manager to manage in the Premier League and a former England manager. On the younger end Eddie Howe is the youngest manager in the Premier League and has been suggested he could be a future England manager.
In the Summer Crystal Palace brought in defenders Mamadou Sakho from Liverpool for £26 million. Jairo Riedewald from Ajax for an undisclosed fee. On loan came midfield player Ruben Loftus-Cheek from Chelsea and defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah from Manchester United. Amongst those leaving was goalkeeper Steve Mandanda who has signed for Marseille for an undisclosed fee.
When Roy Hodgson joined Crystal Palace in September they had played 4 games and lost 4 games on 0 points with a GD of -7 and they were in 19th place, bottom were West Ham having played 1 game less. Occupying 18th spot were AFC Bournemouth with the exact same record as Palace. Now after 15 games Crystal Palace have moved up into 18th spot with 2 wins, 4 draws and 9 defeats on 10 points.
Crystal Palace have struggled from the opening game of the season. They lost their first five matches, including Roy Hodgson`s first game in charge which was home to Southampton, by the only goal of the game. This was followed with two heavy away defeats to the two Manchester clubs, first losing 5-0 against City and then 4-0 to United. October started well for Roy Hodgson`s team, beating fellow London club Chelsea 2-1, to give Hodgson his first win since taking over from Frank de Boer`s short stint in charge. This was followed with a 1-0 defeat away at Newcastle. They gained another point in the two games following, both against London clubs. West Ham visited Selhurst Park and the game finished in a 2-2 draw. November started with a visit to Wembley, Spurs temporary home and Roy Hodgson`s old home when he was in charge of England, his side losing by the only goal of the game. Next two games were at home, they drew with Everton and beat Stoke City. The last game of November was away at Brighton, which ended in a draw, it had been a good month for Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace. December started with a visit to the Midlands and West Brom, the game ending in a 0-0 draw, that was Palace`s fourth game unbeaten and their best run of the season so far, as they welcome the Cherries to Selhurst Park.
AFC Bournemouth Team News:
Scott Dann missed their last game against West Brom through illness, he probably will be available again. Yohan Cabaye also missed the game through injury.
Player to watch: Wilfried Zaha
Wilfried Zaha, his speed and skill will give our defenders something to think about. He is also the leading scorer for Palace with 3 goals. Christian Benteke who has just recently returned from injury will be another player to keep an eye on as he tries to score his first goal of the season.
Crystal Palace Team News:
After picking up a controversial yellow card against Saints, Adam Smith misses this game. Probably Simon Francis will slot back into the right back berth and Steve Cook who was a sub against Saints will come back into the centre of defence with Nathan Ake. Harry Arter missed the squad altogether, so it remains to be seen if he is back in the squad for Palace. Eddie has a strong squad to pick from.
Player to watch: Jermain Defoe
Not being able to get into Eddie`s head and how he is thinking about our team selection, I know a number won`t agree, but going for Jermain Defoe. He went close against Saints and would have scored except for a good reflex save from Forster. Get the balls to him and he will do the rest, his goal scoring record for club and country speaks for itself.
Match Facts & Stats
The Cherries visited Selhurst Park to play Crystal Palace in the third game of the 2016-17 season on August 27th. The Cherries took an early lead through Josh King, but in injury time from a cross, Scott Dann headed the equaliser for Palace, to rob the Cherries of all 3 points. In the game at Dean Court, Palace won with their two goals coming from Scott Dann and Christian Benteke. In all our away league games against the Eagles, AFCB have Won 7, Drawn 8 and Lost 19. In all competitions AFCB have Won 28, Drawn 17 and Lost 23.
