CRYSTAL PALACE PREVIEW: BOURNEMOUTH (A)

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has praised his side’s morale during the current Premier League season, but recognises there is "more work to be done".

The Eagles travel to eighth-place AFC Bournemouth on Monday evening (8pm), and Hodgson spoke favourably of the team chemistry at Selhurst Park, ahead of their test with the high-flying Cherries.

Source: 90min.com

HODGSON'S COMMENTS:

The Palace boss has praised his player's morale this season, but acknowledges that there is still hard work to be done.

"The morale is good here and has been since pre-season. We have faith in what we are doing. We know there is more work to be done," Hodgson said.

“[Bournemouth’s] start has been good. They will be very confident and they haven't changed their team spectacularly. We have a good idea of what’s awaiting us.”

The South London outfit saw off Championship side West Bromwich Albion in the Carabao Cup during midweek, Van Aanholt’s strike and Townsend’s double the difference, and Hodgson was encouraged by the efficiency of his squad as a whole.

“I thought the way we went about winning the game was good. It's good to know we aren't dependent on just eleven players," the former-England and Liverpool boss said.

TEAM NEWS:

Hodgson confirmed that Jairo Riedewald will be unavailable for the trip to the South Coast, stating that the Dutch defender has ‘had a scan and should be available for training’, thus his praised squad depth may be of some use on Monday.

Christian Benteke is still ruled out, the Palace boss claiming he is ‘monitored day by day’, following his knee injury with Belgium during this month’s international break.

STATS:

• The Cherries are unbeaten in their three home league matches this season, whilst the Eagles boast two victories from their three away fixtures.

• Both Premier League clashes between the two last season finished in 2-2 draws, Palace having led in both.

ODDS:

The hosts, AFC Bournemouth, are slim favourites with odds of 9/4, whilst the Eagles are 17/5 on. A draw is 7/2.