Preview
Two of the three remaining sides yet to pick up a point in the Premier League clash at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon, with both already under pressure to ensure a slow start does not become nightmarish. Read on for betting tips for Crystal Palace vs Bournemouth.
League Performance
Palace’s poor league form stretches much further than two league defeats this season; they have won only two of their 23 league outings in 2016. Such a poor run of form, coupled with last season’s FA Cup final defeat means that failure to beat Eddie Howe’s men on Saturday could potentially be season-defining as a win is vital to regaining some momentum.
Alan Pardew will surely hand a league start to Christian Benteke, who will be desperate to put a forgettable year at Liverpool behind him with the Eagles praying that he can help the team find the back of the net for the first time this season.
Bournemouth’s poor form is equally prolonged and worrying. The Cherries have picked up only four points from their last ten league outings dating back to 20th March and the only victory came against a hapless Aston Villa side – the only match in that run which they scored more than once.
Last week
Just like Palace, their latest league outing was a gutsy display that ultimately fell short in London – a sign of the lack of confidence and belief both hindering both sides.
Betting tips
Crystal Palace may well be buoyed by Benteke’s arrival and if they can provide the right ammunition to him and reintroduce Yohan Cabaye into the starting line-up, they will surely start the game as favourites especially with home advantage. Odds of 13/10 can be found for the Eagles to soar home with three points.
With both teams struggling in front of goal of late, a scoreless draw is a tempting 7/1. It’s worth bearing in mind that three of the shared four league defeats this season have been 1-0, so defensively both teams have a lot fewer problems than at the right end.
Team news
Howe will be without suspended midfielder Harry Arter for the trip to Selhurst Park, and he is likely to be replaced by Dan Gosling, while for the hosts, Connor Wickham is expected to make way for Benteke with calls for new goalkeeper Steve Mandanda to replace Wayne Hennessy.