BOURNEMOUTH VS CRYSTAL PALACE: PREVIEW

Bournemouth had come out of the Premier League traps flying, registering four victories in their first six outings of the fresh campaign.

However, that momentum was somewhat halted in vicious circumstances, as The Cherries fell victim to a 4-0 drubbing away at Burnley.

Despite the hefty scoreline, boss Eddie Howe has insisted the four goal margin "Wasn't reflective" of his sides performance, as they attempt to get back to winnings ways under the Vitality Stadium lights on Monday night against a dangerous Crystal Palace side.

Last weeks encounter at Turf Moor could have gone very differently for Howe's men, as they carved out several opportunities, particularly in the first half, with inform front man Callum Wilson inches away from reaching a tap-in which would have put the South Coast side ahead.

The heavy defeat will serve as a harsh learning curve for a young Bournemouth side, executed by a clinical Burnley outfit who took virtually all of their gilt-edge opportunities, something which could certainly not be said for the travelling side who amassed a huge 63% of possession.

Howe will know his team will need to convert their chances if they are to turnover a potent Crystal Palace side, buoyant from a 0-3 victory over Championship table toppers West Brom in the league cup on Tuesday.

Roy Hodgson's Palace side have been a mixed bag in terms of league form, entering the game sat in 15th place with a record of two wins, one draw, and three defeats to date.

Although it is worth nothing that the Eagles have saved their best performance's for the road, having managed four away wins in all competitions this season, with just one defeat to complete their travels, against high flying Watford.

Previewing his upcoming visitors, Howe acknowledged the threat caused by Ivorian Wilfried Zaha, describing the ex Manchester United man as "An outstanding player who we need to be aware of."

Although the Cherries gaffer also made his players aware that Zaha is not the only danger this Palace side possesses, pointing to lively winger Andros Townsend and Belgium internation Christian Benteke as potential danger men.

Howe also mentioned how the game was likely to be an open affair between two attacking teams, with both encounters between the pair ending as a 2-2 draw last season evidence of this.

Although you have to travel back to February 2016 for the last Bournemouth triumph in this fixture, a 1-2 victory at Selhurst Park. Palace are unbeaten in four against the Cherries.

TEAM NEWS:

Bournemouth will assess Diego Rico and Dan Gosling, who are nursing respective hamstring and calf problems. However, the game may come too soon for defender Charlie Daniels.

Crystal Palace are expected to be without Christian Benteke with a knee problem, although Wilfried Zaha should be fit after a back spasm.

ONE TO WATCH:

Ryan Fraser

This will come as no surprise to regular viewers of the Cherries, as the Scottish winger is enjoying a stunning spell of form, having registered four goals already this season, two of which came in his last Vitality Stadium appearance against Leicester.

Normally utilised on the left, Fraser specialises in cutting in onto his favoured right foot before either whipping in a cross for the strikers or having a pop at goal himself. Fraser has also been compared to Chelsea ace Eden Hazard by manager Howe previously.

Prediction: Bournemouth 2-1 Crystal Palace