Crystal Palace will host Bournemouth on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Selhurst Park, aiming to bounce back from a dismal week that saw them suffer two heavy defeats. The Eagles, under the guidance of Oliver Glasner, fell 5-2 to Manchester City and then were thrashed 5-0 at Newcastle United, marking the first time since February 1935 that they have conceded five or more goals in consecutive matches. Currently sitting in 12th place in the Premier League, Palace desperately needs a morale-boosting win as they prepare for their FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa at Wembley on April 26.
Bournemouth, on the other hand, enters this match with renewed confidence after securing a 1-0 victory against Fulham on Monday night, thanks to an early goal from Antoine Semenyo just 53 seconds into the game. This win has propelled the Cherries back up to eighth place in the league, occupying the final potential European position. With aspirations to qualify for UEFA competition for the first time in club history, Bournemouth is looking to capitalize on Palace's recent struggles.
In their last meeting, which took place on December 26, 2024, the teams played to a goalless draw, but Bournemouth has been unbeaten in their last three encounters against Palace, having ended a five-match winless streak at Selhurst Park last season. As both teams prepare for this clash, the stakes are high, with Palace needing to regain their form and Bournemouth aiming to keep their European dreams alive.
Glasner's side has struggled defensively, having conceded ten goals in their last two outings. The manager is likely to make changes to his lineup, with Adam Wharton expected to return to midfield, while Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has scored 16 goals this season, will be looking to find the net against Bournemouth, a team he has yet to score against in four previous meetings.
For Bournemouth, manager Andoni Iraola has had a relatively settled squad, with only a few injury concerns. Ryan Christie (groin) and Enes Unal (knee) are out for the season, while Luis Sinisterra (hamstring) and Justin Kluivert (undisclosed) are questionable for this match. The Cherries will be hoping that their high-pressing style can unsettle Palace, who will likely look to counter-attack after their recent defensive woes.
The match kicks off at 15:00 BST (10:00 EDT) at Selhurst Park, and both teams will be eager to secure all three points for different reasons. While Palace seeks to restore their confidence ahead of the FA Cup semi-final, Bournemouth aims to close the gap on the Premier League's top seven.
As the match approaches, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. Fans are eager to see if Palace can turn their fortunes around at home or if Bournemouth can continue their resurgence and push for European qualification. With both teams having much to play for, this encounter promises to be an exciting clash in the Premier League.
In terms of predictions, analysts have varied opinions. Some believe that Palace could edge out a 2-1 victory, while others lean towards Bournemouth securing a 2-1 win themselves, given the current form of both teams. Regardless of the outcome, the match is set to be a thrilling contest.
With the live coverage available on Peacock in the U.S., fans around the world will be tuning in to witness this crucial Premier League encounter. As the players take to the pitch, the question remains: can Crystal Palace regain their footing, or will Bournemouth continue their push for a European spot?
