Bournemouth are unbeaten in five games in the league, winning four of those and sit fifth in the Premier League at Christmas.
It has been a slow start to the 2024/25 campaign for the Eagles, meanwhile, but Oliver Glasner’s side is starting to hit some form in the league.
The Daily Echo previews the Boxing Day game at the Vitality Stadium.
**Team News**
Andoni Iraola expects to have the same squad of players available to pick from as he did at Old Trafford on Sunday, with no one expected to return from injury.
He said there are a few assessments to be made on some players who picked up slight issues at United.
They are still without Alex Scott, Julian Araujo, Luis Sinisterra, Marcos Senesi and Marcus Tavernier.
_(Image: Stuart Martin)_ Palace, meanwhile, will see Daniel Munoz return from suspension while Eberechi Eze missed out at Arsenal but is expected to be available for the trip to Dorset.
**Head-to-Head**
The [Cherries](http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/sport/cherries/clubnews/) have the better record of the two sides across their history, with 32 wins compared to 28 for Palace, with 19 draws.
Across the past four games in the league, the two teams have won two each, with Palace doing the double in the 2022/23 season with consecutive 2-0 wins over Bournemouth.
But last season, Andoni Iraola’s men did the double against the South London side without conceding – winning 2-0 at Selhurst Park in December before beating the Eagles 1-0 at Dean Court in April.
In the December game, the Cherries led at halftime thanks to a Marcos Senesi goal, before a stoppage time second from Kieffer Moore confirmed the points for Bournemouth.
_(Image: Stuart Martin)_ At the Vitality Stadium, it was a close affair for much of the 90 minutes, before Justin Kluivert netted with 11 minutes to play to give the Cherries the points.
**Last Time Out**
Bournemouth are coming into Christmas on the crest of a wave of good form.
They are unbeaten in December, beating Tottenham Hotspur, Ipswich Town and drawing with West Ham, before convincingly beating Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Cherries led 1-0 at halftime thanks to a Dean Huijsen header from a Ryan Christie.
A quickfire double shortly after the hour mark with a Justin Kluivert penalty and an Antoine Semenyo strike secured the points as Bournemouth won 3-0.
Palace, meanwhile, have beaten Ipswich and Brighton and Hove Albion this month, comfortably beating their rivals 3-1 at the Amex.
They have also picked up a point at home against Manchester City, before losing twice in a matter of days to Arsenal; 3-2 in the Carabao Cup and 5-1 in the league.
Bournemouth sit fifth in the league heading into the game, on 28 points, while their visitors are 16th with 16 points.
The game kicks off at 3pm on Thursday, December 26.