BBC Sport's Mark Mitchener at Vitality Stadium: "Bournemouth and Crystal Palace last met in a competitive match on 4 March 1989, and it was a genuine five-goal thriller at Selhurst Park. 

"John Williams (who is BBC Radio Solent's summariser here today), Mark O'Connor and Richard Cooke had given the Cherries a seemingly impregnable 3-0 lead, only for Palace to hit back through John Pemberton and Ian Wright to set up a grandstand finish. Bournemouth held on for a 3-2 win, with Wright left to rue a missed penalty earlier in the game."

Image source, Getty Images

We all love the Queen's Speech, but it's worth remembering that Her Majesty isn't the only silver-haired Palace leader who can deliver a rousing team-talk around this time of year.

Eagles manager Alan Pardew has seen his stock rise and rise through 2015, since taking charge at Selhurst Park on 2 January - he's now even being mentioned as a potential next England manager.

After steering Palace to a very creditable position of 10th last season, Pardew will be eyeing a best-ever Premier League finish for the London club this season. Some good results over the festive period would go a long way to achieving that goal.

These two sides are hotter than the filling in a freshly microwaved mince pie.

Bournemouth have won their last three league games and are undefeated in five, scoring 10 goals along the way.

Meanwhile, Palace are second only to Leicester City in the Premier League form table, having taken 13 points from their last six matches. In that period, they've banged in 11 goals and managed away victories over Liverpool and Stoke.

A win this afternoon would be the best Christmas present either side could ask for.

Victory for Palace could elevate them into the Champions League spots by the end of today, while if Bournemouth pick up three points they could move as much as seven points clear of the relegation zone.

Mark Scott
MOTD commentator at the Vitality Stadium

"Tis' certainly the season to be jolly for these two at the moment, both are on great recent runs and have been excellent to watch as well. 

"Understandably, Bournemouth's back-to-back wins over Chelsea and Manchester United caught the eye, but I was also impressed with the assured manner in which they dictated the game when I saw them make it three straight victories at West Brom last weekend. 

"However, beating Palace - especially on their travels - is a bigger ask than seeing off Chelsea or United on current form. 

"At the risk of jinxing it, given how these two play and the confidence they'll both have right now, it should be an entertaining afternoon!"

Bournemouth are unchanged from the side that beat West Brom last time out, with former Palace man Glenn Murray up front.

Image source, BBC Sport

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew makes two changes from the side that beat Stoke City - Jordon Mutch comes in for Yannick Bolasie in midfield for his league start since the opening day of the season, and Fraizer Campbell replaces Connor Wickham up front.  

Image source, BBC Sport

Hello and welcome to live text coverage of Bournemouth v Crystal Palace. Kick off is around 25 minutes away, and the teams are in...

Image source, BBC Sport

Both Bournemouth and Crystal Palace can be happy with their team's start to the Premier League season. But their respective fans are doing even better in our Prediction League.

Bournemouth supporters are up in ninth place, while Eagles fans are flying high in second. And you can help maintain your team's form by having your say in our Predictor game.

You can also check out the Predictor league table and see whether your predictions are better than Mark Lawrenson's guesses.

What are you waiting for? Get involved.

Boxing Day. A day of inertia. A day to slump on the sofa with your Christmas chocs. A day to sit still.

Unless of course, you're a Premier League footballer. Yes, it's back to the day job for those poor souls, as they bid to scramble up the snowy hilltop that is the Premier League table.

Bournemouth and Crystal Palace were both in excellent form before Christmas. So whose gifts will keep on giving - and who will be going cold turkey?

Welcome to our live page for Bournemouth v Crystal Palace. We’ll have text commentary here from 14:30 GMT. You can keep up to date with all the build-up to today’s games here.