Crystal Palace vs AFC Bournemouth Predictions

• Four of the last five of Bournemouth’s Premier League games have produced three goals or more
• Bournemouth have won four of their last six games
• Only Brentford have drawn more of their home games than Crystal Palace

Cherries’ great escape almost complete

Not many would have given Bournemouth any hope of staying up when Scott Parker was relieved of his duties as manager so early in their season. However the Cherries have thrived under Gary O’Neil and on 39 points, are all but safe in the Premier League relegation battle.

That comes as a result of the Cherries winning four of their last six matches to pull away from the drop zone. Only Leeds have conceded more than Bournemouth’s 67 in 35 games but they have managed to sustain a number of heavy defeats and come out on the other side to pick up victories.

Bournemouth are now on the brink of retaining their Premier League status and could put on an entertaining affair when they visit Crystal Palace.

Hodgson changed fortunes of Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson’s re-appointment as Crystal Palace manager was controversial at the time but he has brought about a change in the Eagles fortune after replacing Patrick Vieira.

Palace have won four of their last seven games and drawn another and have three games to end the season that appear winnable on paper, starting with this against Bournemouth before facing Fulham and Nottingham Forest.

A top-half finish is probably out of reach for the Eagles but considering their dip in form in the middle of the campaign, finishing strongly would be well appreciated by the fanbase.

Goals could be on the cards

Given the defensive record of Bournemouth and the flourishing of Crystal Palace’s attacking talents under Roy Hodgson’s new regime, this could well be a high-scoring affair.

Matches have tended to be high-scoring affairs as the shackles have come off at the end of such a long campaign and both of these sides could put on an entertaining spectacle in south London, as Crystal Palace did in their last home game, a 4-3 win over West Ham.

Take over 2.5 goals to land in this matchup, but a stalemate is also a possibility. Only Brentford have drawn more of their home games than Crystal Palace this season and with both sides essentially safe, a high-scoring draw is the pick. Correct score backers should consider a 2-2 draw in this one.