The fixtures are arriving thick and fast as the 2023/24 Premier League season races towards its climax. Matchweek 31 features a midweek clash with AFC Bournemouth hosting Crystal Palace at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday night.
The Cherries have enjoyed a dazzling run in the league, remaining undefeated in March with three wins and a draw in all the games they played last month. Most recently, they celebrated a late-victory 2-1 success over Everton at home and aim to continue their form into April.
Meanwhile, Oliver Glasner, Roy Hodgson’s latest successor at Palace, has seen his EPL endeavor result in only a single win for his team, which came against Burnley with a 3-0 victory. Since then, the Eagles have lost once and drawn twice in their last four league outings. Last weekend, Nottingham Forest held them to a 1-1 draw, denying three points.
Ahead of this mid-table encounter, an eight-point gap separates the two sides. Bournemouth sits in 13th place with a tally of 38 points, while the visitors’ form has placed them one spot behind in 14th, but with a significant gap in points, having accumulated just 30 points so far.
When and Where?
Date: Tuesday, 2nd April, 2024.
Time: 7:45 pm BST.
Venue: Vitality Stadium
Match Officials
Referee: Graham Scott.
Assistants: Harry Lennard & Shaun Hudson.
Fourth official: Simon Hooper.
VAR: Rob Jones.
Assistant VAR: Adam Nunn.
Team news
The hosts will be without the services of Ryan Fredericks, Luis Sinisterra, and Marcos Senesi, all remain unavailable for selection. Additionally, Ryan Christie’s appearance is doubtful, and no further injuries have been reported for the Cherries in their recent fixtures.
The Eagles’ list of players sidelined due to injuries includes Sam Johnstone, Cheick Doucouré, Rob Holding, Marc Guéhi, Matheus França, and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi. Also, their ace forward, Michael Olise, will miss this trip, despite expectations of his return.
Pre-Match Tactical Analysis
Andoni Iraola‘s side is keen on securing a third successive home triumph against the London club, who are still attempting to find its rhythm and the right combination under a new boss. The Cherries have successfully edged past Luton Town and Everton in their previous two games. The Cherries are expected to retain their first eleven from the Everton win, adopting a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The skipper Neto is anticipated to serve as the shot-stopper. In the back four, left-back Lloyd Kelly could start, following a cameo against Everton, with Adam Smith on the right. The centre-back duo, Chris Mepham and Ilya Zabarnyi will be tasked with protecting the lines.
In midfield, the double-pivot duo of Tyler Adams and Lewis Cook will aim to break the lines, switch plays, and build attacks. The attacking midfield trio includes Antoine Semenyo and Marcus Tavernier on the wide corridors, with Justin Kluivert playing the creative number 10 role in the center, behind the striker Dominic Solanke.
Oliver Glasner will be looking to secure his second Premier League victory during the midweek trip to Vitality Stadium, following two consecutive league draws. The Austrian’s tactical approach is expected to maintain a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Dean Henderson guarding the goal. The defensive backline is anticipated to feature a three-man setup with Chris Richards, Joachim Andersen, and Joel Ward.
The four-man midfield will consist of Tyrick Mitchell and Daniel Munoz operating as wingbacks, with Jefferson Lerma partnering with Adam Wharton in the center to handle midfield duties. The attacking front three will see Eberechi Eze and Jordan Ayew serving as attacking midfielders, supporting Jean-Philippe Mateta, who will lead the line as the target man.
Key Players
Dominic Solanke
The 26-year-old striker has emerged as a standout goalscorer for Bournemouth and in the Premier League, occupying third place on the goal-scoring charts with 16 goals in 29 appearances, a tally equal to that of Erling Haaland and only two goals shy of the top scorer, Mohamed Salah. Solanke, the former Liverpool center-forward averages 4 shots per goal in the league. Meanwhile, his total goal contribution amounts to 18, with a tally of 4 assists so far this season across all competition, making him a major threat to the guests.
Predicted Lineups
Bournemouth predicted lineup vs Crystal Palace: Neto; Smith, Zabarnyi, Mepham, Kelly; Adams, Cook; Semenyo, Kluivert, Tavernier; Solanke.
Crystal Palace predicted lineup vs Bournemouth: Henderson; Ward, Andersen, Richards; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Ayew, Eze; Mateta.