Crystal Palace and Bournemouth will face each other, hoping to bounce back from recent disappointments and finish the season stronger.
Crystal Palace fans feared for the worst when the club discarded Patrick Vieira and re-appointed Roy Hodgson at the helm. Little did most people envisage the kind of turnaround the veteran manager brought in, which has steered the club to safety.
With the recent win over West Ham United, they reached the 40-point mark, which virtually guaranteed them safety. While they may have narrowly lost to Tottenham last weekend, the failure of the bottom three sides ensured Palace would remain in the Premier League irrespective of what happens in the season’s last three games.
Superb, @Jeffrey_Schlupp 👏#CPFC | #CRYBOU pic.twitter.com/Gu2ttQwViE
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 11, 2023
Yet, there is a need for the Eagles to finish the season brightly and as high as possible. The ideal target would be to finish better than last season, but that would depend on their own results and those teams above them.
Bournemouth will have heaved a sigh of relief following the results at the weekend. While they could not capitalise on Chelsea’s terrible form in their last game, their defeat to the London side did not have much effect.
They are on the cusp of achieving safety, which will be a big achievement considering the Cherries were overwhelming favourites to drop out for most of the season. A few good results, including those against Southampton and Leeds United recently, may have salvaged their season.
However, with Leeds, Leicester City and Southampton all losing their games in Gameweek 35, Bournemouth only need a point or, preferably, another win to confirm their top-flight status. They have a good chance to consolidate their place when they travel to London and face Crystal Palace.
Team News & Tactics
Crystal Palace
Injury problems will not faze Roy Hodgson at this stage of the season. With the idea still set on finishing as well as possible, the manager may only tweak his side a little. However, absent personnel could force his hand, with Jeffrey Schlupp a major doubt for the weekend.
"Unfortunately, Luka Milivojević was injured this week, so he'll be out, but James McArthur we're hoping will be back. Jeffrey Schlupp we'll make a late decision on."
The boss provides some team news ahead of the weekend 🎙#CPFC | #CRYBOU pic.twitter.com/kLpROK0Xjj
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) May 12, 2023
The midfielder sustained a knock which Hodgson confirmed was carried for the rest of the week. Schlupp will go through an assessment before the clash to determine his place. Luka Milivojevic will also miss out, but James McArthur is available again and ready for selection.
Hodgson is unlikely to throw the scarcely-used midfielder against Bournemouth from the start. He will hope for Schlupp to regain fitness and start alongside Cheick Doucoure and Eberechi Eze. The manager also hinted at starting Sam Johnstone ahead of Vicente Guaita, with the former impressing when given a chance.
Hodgson will look to retain his attacking trio of Wilfried Zaha, Michael Olise and Jordan Ayew. At the back, Marc Guehi will partner Joachim Andersen in central defence while flanked by Joel Ward and Tyrick Mitchell.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Johnstone; Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell; Eze, Doucoure, Schlupp; Olise, Ayew, Zaha
Bournemouth
There is little to report with injury updates at Bournemouth. Gary O’Neil confirmed Marcus Tavernier and Hamed Traore will miss the trip to London. The former has not played since scoring a memorable winner against Southampton, while Traore has missed games since the one against Brighton.
Updates on Marcus Tavernier and Hamed Traorè from the boss 🚨
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) May 12, 2023
O’Neil might name an unchanged lineup from the loss against Chelsea last weekend. Dominic Solanke will lead the line for the Cherries, with the attacking trio of Dango Ouattara, Philip Billing and Ryan Christie behind him.
Joe Rothwell and Jefferson Lerma have done well in midfield and formed a good partnership. The dup will continue to provide the base for Bournemouth’s attackers.
At the back, O’Neill will trust the four personnel he has consistently selected in recent games. Adam Smith and Matias Vina will hold the width from full-back areas, while Marcos Senesi and Lloyd Kelly to keep their central defensive partnership ahead of keeper Neto.
Probable lineup (4-2-3-1): Neto; Smith, Senesi, Kelly, Vina; Rothwell, Lerma; Ouattara, Billing, Christie; Solanke
Key Stats
- Crystal Palace have kept a clean sheet in their last four matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
- Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their three home games with Roy Hodgson in charge.
- Crystal Palace are undefeated in nine of their last ten matches against Bournemouth in all competitions.
- Bournemouth have six wins from their last ten games in the Premier League.
- Bournemouth can secure their safety with a draw or win at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace.
Player to Watch
Marc Guehi
Since joining the club under Patrick Vieira, the Crystal Palace skipper has been a revelation. He has transformed their backline and grown into a leader within the team, with his value now immeasurable. No wonder top clubs are keen on signing him, as he looks to keep performing with the Eagles.
Palace have kept four clean sheets against Bournemouth in their last four games, and to make it five, Guehi has to play a massive role. Under Roy Hodgson, the Eagles are playing well and scoring much. But their foundations come from the back, for which the centre-back remains vital.
Prediction
Crystal Palace 2-0 Bournemouth
Bournemouth have had much luck coming to London and scoring goals this season, especially against the stronger teams. But they have struggled off late against Palace, and that trend might continue at the weekend. Palace seem much stronger and composed coming into this clash and may get their win.
Bournemouth may have to wait another weekend before achieving mathematic safety from relegation, although they are virtually through at this stage. Palace would have seen the problems with the Cherries’ defence and may look to exploit with Zaha and Eze.
