Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace: prediction, head-to-head stats and probable lineups — 03.05.2026
One of the matches of the 35th round of the English Premier League will take place on Sunday at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, where the local side will host Crystal Palace. The home team is still fighting for a historic European qualification, while the visitors are balancing their Premier League tasks with a Conference League semi-final.
Match preview
Bournemouth have become the Premier League's draw specialists: Andoni Iraola's side have shared the points 16 times already, the highest tally in the division. In the previous round, the Cherries once again failed to hold on to a lead, going ahead twice against Leeds but settling for a 2-2 draw at home.
Still, the context for the hosts remains impressive: Bournemouth are now unbeaten in 14 consecutive Premier League matches, setting a new club record in the top flight. The team sits seventh, just one point behind Brighton, and a potential European spot could be not only a fitting farewell for Iraola, but also a strong argument to keep key players like Alex Scott, Marcos Senesi and Elie Junior Krupi.
Crystal Palace come into this fixture fresh off an emotional European victory, having beaten Shakhtar 3-1 in the first leg of the Conference League semi-final. Ismaïla Sarr scored after just 21 seconds, and after the break, Daichi Kamada and Jørgen Strand Larsen made the result comfortable, even though Oliver Glasner's side only had 31% possession.
In the league, Palace still have a shot at finishing in the top half, but the priority is clearly shifting towards Europe. Their four-match unbeaten streak in the Premier League was snapped by a 1-3 defeat to Liverpool, and with the return leg in the Conference League looming, Glasner may opt to rest Sarr, Mateta, and several other starters.
Probable lineups
- Bournemouth: Petrovic, Jimenez, Hill, Senesi, Truffert, Christie, Scott, Ryan, Krupi, Tavernier, Evanilson.
- Crystal Palace: Henderson, Richards, Lacroix, Kanvo, Muñoz, Lerma, Hughes, Sosa, Pino, Johnson, Strand Larsen.
Match facts and head-to-head
- Bournemouth are unbeaten in 14 consecutive Premier League matches, a club record in the top division.
- The last three head-to-head meetings between Bournemouth and Crystal Palace have all ended in draws.
- Crystal Palace have kept five clean sheets in their last eight away matches against Bournemouth.
- Bournemouth have scored 2+ goals in four consecutive games — even two clubs from the Premier League's top three have conceded against them during this run.
- Last week against Liverpool (1-3), the Eagles generated 2.20 xG at Anfield, a significant amount, but failed to convert their chances.
Prediction
Bournemouth look like the side with the clearer motivation for this particular match. The hosts have no European distractions, are on a long unbeaten run, boast strong home form, and have a rare opportunity to edge closer to a historic European finish. Crystal Palace remain dangerous thanks to Glasner's structure and quality in transitions, but after the Shakhtar match, rotation is almost inevitable. If Sarr and Mateta are rested, it will be harder for the visitors to maintain their attacking edge, and Bournemouth at home are stable enough to take advantage.
