Crystal Palace vs AFC Bournemouth Predictions

• Last season’s two Premier League meetings ended goalless
• There have been two or fewer goals in the last nine rivalries
• Under 2.5 goals has obliged in seven of Palace’s 11 outings this season

Defences to stand firm at Selhurst Park

Crystal Palace and Bournemouth reconvene after the international break bidding to build on promising starts to the season and, despite the attacking talent on show, it could be a contest dominated by defences.

Something has to give at Selhurst Park as Palace sit sixth, having lost only one of their first seven assignments, while Bournemouth are flying high in fourth with four wins and two draws from their seven outings.

The Eagles are a tough nut to crack at home, where they recorded a shock 2-1 win against title-chasing Liverpool most recently, but they have also been held to draws by Nottingham Forest and Sunderland.

The Cherries, meanwhile, have gone six league games unbeaten since losing 4-2 to Liverpool at Anfield in their Premier League curtain-raiser.

That makes it a tricky fixture to weigh up but both Premier League meetings last season finished goalless and the respect that will be shown to one another could ensure a similarly low-scoring affair.

Highflying duo could cancel one another out

Each of the last nine meetings between the teams have featured two or fewer goals and three of Bournemouth’s seven league outings have gone under 1.5 goals.

Meanwhile, seven of Crystal Palace’s 11 competitive games this season have gone under 2.5 goals and they will be focused on containing Antoine Semenyo, who has scored or assisted 14 of Bournemouth’s last 18 league goals.

Only Manchester City sensation Erling Haaland has scored more league goals than Semenyo this season, who has netted six of Bournemouth’s 11 league goals, while he has also assisted three of his team’s tally.

Semenyo has had 17 shots in just seven league games this season, so Palace have to be wary of his talents, while Bournemouth will be hoping to keep powerful French forward Jean-Philippe Mateta quiet after he scored on international duty in a 2-2 draw at Iceland.

But Bournemouth, who are unbeaten in four Premier League meetings with Palace having kept clean sheets on each occasion, had their tails up before the two-week break and may be able to edge to a 1-0 victory.