Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace. Premier League.
Vitality StadiumAttendance11,286.
Tuesday 31 January 2017 18:32, UK
Patrick van Aanholt is set to make his Crystal Palace debut at Bournemouth on Tuesday night after completing a move from Sunderland.
The Netherlands international is Sam Allardyce's second signing since he replaced Alan Pardew as Eagles boss last month following the move for Schlupp from Leicester City.
He joins Palace with the club struggling in 18th, without a win in the Premier League since December 3.
Eddie Howe's Bournemouth are 12th, having picked up just one win in the last six, but will be in full strength as they welcome Allardyce's side.
Team news
Bournemouth captain Simon Francis will return after completing his three-match ban for a red card in the 3-3 draw with Arsenal on January 3.
Ivory Coast forward Max Gradel has completed his Africa Cup of Nations duties and could be in contention to return to the squad.
As well as Van Aanholt, Scott Dann is available again after the club captain recovered from a hamstring injury, while the Eagles have also been boosted by the expected returns of Wilfried Zaha and Bakary Sako, who had both been at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Owing to a hamstring injury, Jeffrey Schlupp is absent but - after fears he would be unavailable for far longer - he could yet return against Sunderland on Saturday. Tuesday's fixture is also expected to prove too soon for Julian Speroni, Fraizer Campbell and Steve Mandanda, while Pape Souare, Connor Wickham and Jonathan Benteke all remain long-term absentees.
Opta stats
Bournemouth have won three and drawn two of their last five matches with Crystal Palace in all competitions.
The Eagles have won just once in their last 13 away games against Bournemouth (D2 L10) - 3-2 in November 1987.
Defender Scott Dann has scored both of Crystal Palace's goals against Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Sam Allardyce is winless in his first five league games in charge of Crystal Palace (W0 D1 L4) - his worst winless run at the start of his league career at a single club since Notts County (first 15 league games without a win in 1996-97).
Allardyce's tally of one point from his first five PL games in charge of Palace (W0 D1 L4) is three fewer than Alan Pardew managed in his final five at the club (4 - W1 D1 L3).
Crystal Palace have been losing at half-time on 13 occasions this season in the Premier League; three more than any other side.
Merson's prediction
Having seen their display against Manchester City in the FA Cup, this is clearly Palace's priority. Big Sam will also be looking ahead to their massive game against Sunderland next weekend. If they can get a draw at Bournemouth Palace will be more than happy.
With Jack Wilshere on form, though, they have got to be careful about shutting up shop at the Vitality, they've got to have a go. I see Bournemouth just nicking this as Palace may have an eye on Sunderland.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
Betting
Bournemouth are Sky Bet's 21/10 favourites for the victory with Crystal Palace 5/2 while the draw is priced at 12/5. The odds are also unfavourable toward the Eagles in the relegation, with Sam Allardyce's men 11/8 to face the drop, while the Cherries are a 40/1 chance to go down. Callum Wilson heads the first goalscorer betting at 5/1, closely followed by Christian Benteke at 6/1.
There's also an additional round of Super 6, with £250,000 up for grabs for predicting six correct scores tonight.
