High-flyers Bournemouth will be hosting South London outfit, Crystal Palace, in their Boxing Day fixture, as they look to break more new ground by moving into the top four alongside Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
On the back of a second consecutive 3-0 away win against Manchester United, the Cherries are in high spirits with the arrival of the Eagles on the south coast.
Having won four of the last five, the only other result being a 1-1 Monday night draw against West Ham, Bournemouth are in great form to continue their impressive season and make history as a club with another win this Boxing Day.
For the visitors, it is the season of good cheer as they look to put their tough start to the season behind them.
Palace are also in form like their hosts with only one defeat in the last six games and will look to put their hammering against Arsenal behind them with some post-Christmas joy against Bournemouth.
Last season, this fixture was less-than-inspiring with only one goal and plenty of wind and rain, so supporters will be hoping for a festive feast of drama and action to set up the New Year nicely.
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Kepa solid between the sticks
Kepa Arrizabalaga’s performances have become a talking point for Bournemouth as they prepare to face Crystal Palace.
Arriving on loan from Chelsea, Kepa was tasked with solidifying a defence that had its fair share of challenges last season.
While his early displays were steady but unspectacular, recent weeks have seen the Basque goalkeeper find his stride.
In his last four matches, Kepa has conceded just twice—a penalty against West Ham and a well-taken, unmarked finish by Ipswich Town’s Conor Chaplin.
Arguably, neither goal could be attributed to the 'keeper’s mistakes.
His other two outings this month, however, against Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, earned him plaudits as he kept two clean sheets with commanding performances.
At Old Trafford, Kepa’s vital saves and precise decision-making, particularly on set pieces, were instrumental in the team’s 3-0 victory.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola was quick to praise Kepa post-match, expressing hope that the keeper is rediscovering the form that once made him Chelsea’s record signing.
His resurgence is particularly crucial for Bournemouth’s young and relatively inexperienced defence, offering a reliable presence behind them and boosting their confidence.
Against Crystal Palace, Kepa’s goalkeeping ability will be tested again.
With Palace’s physicality and aerial threat—especially on set pieces—a composed and commanding Kepa could be the difference between three points and disappointment for the Cherries come the end of the game.
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Set pieces threaten both defences
Set pieces are likely to play a pivotal role in this Boxing Day clash, with both Bournemouth and Crystal Palace boasting some of the Premier League’s best records in this area.
Andoni Iraola’s Bournemouth have notched up seven goals from set plays this season, while Oliver Glasner’s Palace sit just behind with six.
These numbers highlight both teams’ proficiency at capitalising on dead-ball situations.
For the Eagles, set pieces have been a critical source of goals, with just eight scored from open play—one of the league’s lowest open-play tallies, which suggests that Palace will lean heavily on their aerial prowess and discipline during free kicks and corners.
Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s tally of 14 open-play goals shows a more balanced approach, but their set-piece threat remains a unique weapon in their arsenal.
Both sides excel in aerial duels, ranking sixth and seventh respectively among Premier League teams for success in the air and, for Bournemouth, Dean Huijsen has become a standout performer in recent weeks, scoring crucial goals against Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The young Spaniard has proven to be a dominant presence since stepping in for the injured Marcos Senesi and ‘Deano’ will be eager to add to his tally on Thursday.
Against a disciplined and organised Crystal Palace defence, the battle in the box promises to be fiercely contested and a potentially decisive one.
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Battle in the middle
The midfield battle promises to be one of the most fascinating aspects of this encounter, with both teams set to feature hard-nosed, industrious duos in the centre of the park.
Crystal Palace will likely rely on Will Hughes and former Cherry Jefferson Lerma, while Bournemouth are expected to pair Lewis Cook with the tireless Ryan Christie.
These four players embody grit and determination, making for a fiery contest in the middle.
Moreover, Palace currently lead the league in tackles, having racked up an impressive 367 so far this season, with Bournemouth not far behind in fifth with a commendable 335 tackles to their name.
This suggests fans can expect no shortage of crunching challenges and battles for possession.
Interceptions will also play a key role and Bournemouth are second in the league for interceptions with 166, showcasing their knack for cutting out opposition passes.
Palace, meanwhile, are no slouches in this department, sitting eighth with 142 interceptions in total this season.
Both teams also feature heavily in long-ball play, ranking among the Premier League’s top three for the most long balls attempted.
This makes the midfield skirmish for second balls all the more important, as these battles will likely dictate which team can gain control of the game and result.
Ultimately, the midfield duel will be decisive and whichever side can dominate the middle will have a significant edge in dictating the match.
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Two sides in fine form
Both Bournemouth and Crystal Palace head into this clash brimming with confidence, with recent performances highlighting the strong form of both teams.
The Cherries have enjoyed a purple patch, with standout victories in their last few outings.
A thrilling 4-2 triumph away at Wolves showcased their attacking talent, whilst clean-sheet wins against Tottenham and Manchester United solidified their defensive resilience.
A last-gasp winner at Ipswich Town further demonstrated Bournemouth’s unshakeable belief and ability to grind out results under pressure.
Palace, despite a 5-1 humbling at the hands of Arsenal in their last fixture, have shown their mettle in recent weeks.
Oliver Glasner’s side claimed a satisfying 3-1 victory over fierce rivals Brighton and dispatched Ipswich with authority.
They have also held their own against top sides, securing gutsy draws with Aston Villa, Newcastle, and even Manchester City, underlining their capacity to compete.
With both sides flying high, this match feels finely balanced, and each will point to the other’s recent successes as evidence of a formidable opponent.
One thing is certain; the team that extends their excellent form will be perfectly poised heading into the final game of the year with momentum firmly on their side.
