Written by billythekid
The Cherries go into this game full of confidence and in 5th place in the Premier League after our fifth game unbeaten, after beating Manchester United 0-3. AFCB recorded the same result last season, it was reported as being another record for our club. Our next game is on Boxing Day against Crystal Palace at home at 3 pm. It is also being shown live on Amazon Prime.
After their defeat at Dean Court and then in their next match at home against Manchester City, Palace after 31 games were in 14th place with 30 points. Oliver Glasner the Palace manager saw his side have a good finish to last season, they won three, then drew and then won three more games, including in their last home game beating 4th placed Aston Villa 5-0. Glasner’s side took 19 points out of a possible 21 points. They finished in 10th place with 49 points.
In the Summer they lost Michael Olise, who joined Bayern Munich for £60 million and was their third top scorer last season with 10 goals, he was their third second-highest with 6 assists. The player who had the most assists was Jordan Ayew who had 7 assists, he also left their club to join Leicester City. Amongst those the club signed were Eddie Nketiah, Maxence Lacroix and Ismaila Sarr.
This season they haven’t had such a good season so far. Away from home, they had their first away win 1-2 at Ipswich this month and also beat Brighton 1-3. They drew 1-1 with Chelsea, and 2-2 with Wolves and Aston Villa. Lost 2-1 at Brentford and Everton, 1-0 against Nottingham Forest. At home, they have W 1, D 4, L 4. They are 16th in the table with 16 points. In their most recent home game they lost 1-5 against Arsenal.
The last time we met the Eagles at Dean Court was in April, the Cherries winning by the only goal of the game scored in the second half by Justin Kluivert.
In our Home league games against Palace, AFCB have Won 23, Drawn 10, and Lost 6.
In all competitions, AFCB have won 31, Drawn 20, and Lost 28.
AFCB Team News
No new injury concerns have been reported.
AFCB Player To Watch
As mentioned before it’s our team overall are the ones to watch. But Antoine Semenyo was back on the score sheet at Old Trafford and had the most shots of all our players. Now has five goals for the season so far. Dango Ouattara has had two assists and one goal in his last three games.
Crystal Palace Team News
Adam Wharton, Matheus Franca, Chadi Riad and Eberechi Eze have been out injured.
Crystal Palace Player To Watch
Ismaila Sarr had a very good game away at Brighton scoring 2 goals and 1 assist. In his last six Premier League games he has scored 4 goals and had 2 assists.
The Referee
Thomas Bramall takes this game, he also was in charge of two of our games last season, away against Liverpool and home when we played Aston Villa.
Matt Stevenson added…
I’ve looked at the last 4 league games for C Palace. These were two home games (Man C and Arsenal) and two away games (Ipswich and Brighton). C Palace have gained 7 points, with each result tallying with the xG. C Palace have scored 7 goals and conceded 8 with xG estimating 6.87 goals with 5.81 conceded with he outlier being when Arsenal scored 5 goals from an xG of 2.87.
Comparison.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 11:06 AM
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C Palace have had 5 different goal scorers with Sarr netting 3. Mitchell has 2 assists from wing-back.
The average positions of the starting line-ups are below. Whilst the games have been difficult, C Palace appears to not be an attacking side, preferring to counter attack with few average positions in advance of the centre circle.
Av Pos.jpg
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 11:06 AM
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The following plot compares summary stats of C Palace and AFCB over the last 4 games.
AFCB have more goal attempts per game and more big chances, although goals scored are the same as we have not been as clinical. C Palace have conceded less chances, but more big chances, and have conceded 8 goals to our 2. xG is strongly in Bournemouth’s favour but xGc is slightly more favourable to C Palace. C Palace have had no errors leading to chances and AFCB six.
Comparison.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 11:06 AM
">Comparison.png
C Palace have a lower possession percentage than AFCB (it must be one of the worst in the league at 38%) but a marginally better pass completion. Chances from open play are similar. C Palace have a relatively high percentage of chances conceded from open play (although AFCB’s value is normally below the opposition).
Percentages.png
Matt Stevenson · Dec 23, 2024 at 11:06 AM
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Your say…
thegazzyb wrote…
A couple of weeks ago, I would have seen this as a typical banana skin game for us but now I am feeling just as confident as I felt before the United game.
I think something weird would have to happen for us not to win this one, given the momentum that we currently have.
A comfortable home win, to be followed up by a somewhat tighter victory at Fulham to end the first half of the season in a CL spot.
That’ll do pig, that’ll do (oo)
Merry Christmas all!
northstandmark added…
Don’t know whether to feel confident about this and just go with it, or be concerned that the fact I feel confident means we’re due a mess it up.
It’s a shame we’ve not managed to get 1 – 2 players back such as Sinisterra. It makes juggling the festive schedule that little tougher and more prone to a bridge too far at some point.
One thing at a time though, we can and should get something here hopefully.
Cherriess said…
Don’t think this will be as easy as some might think. We’ve struggled a bit this season against the more struggling teams. Of course, will be delighted if I’m wrong. – To join the conversation, please click here.