English Premier
2026-05-03 - Bournemouth vs Crystal Palace
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English Premier League
Sunday 3rd May 2026 - Kick Off 2pm
This game is live on TV
Bournemouth
Two big away wins have sparked a strong end to the campaign for Bournemouth, despite news that Andoni Iraola will be leaving this summer and replaced by Marco Rose. The players want to end the Iraola era on a high and that can be achieved by earning Bournemouth a place in European Football next season, which looks like a goal that can be met on current form.
Only a 97th minute goal prevented Bournemouth from securing a win over Leeds United to maintain current progress, but they remain 7th in the Premier League table and just a point behind Brighton. Too many draws have been an issue for Bournemouth who have a 6-9-2 record at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League this season.
Bournemouth are unbeaten in 14 Premier League games, although 9 of those matches have ended in draws following the late dropped points against Leeds United. That result also makes it 5 straight draws at the Vitality Stadium in the top flight.
Julio Soler and Lewis Cook are hoping to return this weekend, but Justin Kluivert has to wait a little longer.
Crystal Palace
An important win in the First Leg of the Conference League Semi Final has placed Crystal Palace in a really strong position to play for more silverware later this month. Oliver Glasner's experience should mean the players are still focused and not thinking too far ahead before facing Shakhtar Donetsk with a two goal lead in the Second Leg of that Semi Final.
The manager is another departing in the summer, but Oliver Glasner has made it clear he wants to end on a high and winning another major trophy would do that. However, he also wants a strong conclusion to the Premier League season with Crystal Palace currently in 13th place in the standings and there is an opportunity to still push into the European places likely on offer.
Crystal Palace have drawn with West Ham United and lost to Liverpool in the last couple of Premier League matches, but they snapped a 3 game winless run in all competitions with the 1-3 win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Thursday. Balancing two commitments has not been easy and Crystal Palace have lost half of the last 6 away games played in all competitions.
Evann Guessand and Cheick Doucoure are doubts ahead of this weekend. There will likely be some changes to the starting lineup with the Conference League Second Leg in mind.
Head to Head
Crystal Palace fought back from a 0-2 and 2-3 deficit in the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth earlier this season.
The Eagles had been unbeaten in 3 visits to the Vitality Stadium in all competitions, but have since lost on one occasion and earned a draw last season.
Prediction
This is the stage of the season where you are almost second guessing managers and players and the motivations they may have.
The Conference League is clearly going to be a distraction for Crystal Palace with a real chance to win that competition.
The 1-3 win in the First Leg of the Semi Final puts Crystal Palace in a strong position to reach the Final, but Oliver Glasner will know the tie is far from over against a decent Shakhtar Donetsk team. That may influence his starting eleven with some key players expected to sit out, but Crystal Palace will likely have plenty of experience on the pitch.
It makes them dangerous, but they are facing a well rested Bournemouth team that should have beaten Leeds United last time out, which would have pushed them into the top six.
Andoni Iraola would love to sign off as Bournemouth manager by giving the club a spot in European Football for next season and a 14 game unbeaten run has put The Cherries in a promising position. However, the manager will be aware that his team need to turn a few more draws into wins to really earn a place in likely the Europa League or Conference League and English clubs have enjoyed enough success in those to give Bournemouth motivation to do the same.
The side are attacking with confidence, but Bournemouth can be vulnerable at the back and 5 draws in a row at home will make the players potentially nervous as this game ticks down. That could leave them open to conceding another late goal, but Bournemouth should be more focused and will be rested having had last weekend free from action.
This is a potentially telling factor and the home team can win a game featuring at least two goals for the hosts.
The Pick :
Bournemouth 2-1 Crystal Palace
