Kevin Kilbane
Former Everton winger on Final Score

It is a brilliantly worked goal, the sort of strike a coach loves. They almost celebrate more on the touchline than the players on the pitch! And Defoe doesn't miss from there.

Image source, Reuters

Both teams have come out swinging.

Bournemouth get their first glimpse of goal as Jermain Defoe - all five foot and not much of him - heads Simon Francis' cross into the ground in front of Julian Speroni.

It was a clean connection. Either side of the Palace goalkeeper and he had a much harder job on his hands.

"Zaha's too good for you," they used to chant here.

Wilfried is getting into the groove early, swerving outside a labouring Steve Cook and stubbing a cross towards Christian Benteke.

The Belgian's stooping reflex header is just wide....

The first glimmer of a chance for Palace as Andros Townsend is sprung down the left wing by a great ball from the back.

The sometime England man gets his head up and sweeps in a cross, but that is just too far in front of Christian Benteke.

Jeffrey Schlupp, still looking for his first Palace goal, wallops an effort narrowly over from 25 yards.

Bright start from Palace.

Mamadou Sakho calls his Palace team together for a final huddle.

The tannoy man tells the fans to "be loud, be proud, be Palace".

And Kevin Friend gets us going...

Social media support from the hosts' missing men as the two teams take the field.

Image source, Getty Images

Some strong Christmas vibes in south London this afternoon with Shane Macgowan and Kirsty MacColl on the tannoy.

Kayla the Eagle - the hosts' mascot - is sitting perched on the crossbar.

Bournemouth are in the tunnel. We are nearly ready for the off.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Rex Features

Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson: "It's pretty obvious that at home every game gives us an opportunity for three points. We have created chances and have to believe in ourselves.

"This is an opportunity, one we can't spurn. But, Bournemouth won't want to lose, just like any opponent."

Image source, Rex Features

Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe: "Palace are improving. Roy has brought to them what they would've probably been expecting, stability and some consistency.

"I think they have become harder to beat, harder to score against and I do believe they've got some good players, but Roy's organisation is probably at the heart of that.

"The challenge for us is to try and rediscover our cutting edge in front of goal and there were signs of that last week against Southampton."

Mark Lawrenson
Former Liverpool defender

I think Palace fans realise that Roy Hodgson has got a chance of getting them out of the mire that they are in, and they are really behind him.

My chief concern about Bournemouth would be over their inconsistency - but I still think they will be fine in the end.

Prediction: 2-1

Lawro's full predictions v Pointless co-presenter Richard Osman

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game

Simon Brotherton
MOTD commentator

Despite giving the rest of the Premier League an enormous seven-game headstart, Crystal Palace are already off the bottom and looking much more solid.

Back-to-back away draws, both with clean sheets, have put another couple of points on the board but it's recent home form that's really helped their cause. Palace are unbeaten at Selhurst in the last four matches with two wins and two draws.

Bournemouth sit five points above their opponents but will be keeping half an eye over their shoulder on a gap that could narrow very quickly.

Eddie Howe's side haven't enjoyed a great start themselves but are unbeaten in their past three away league games, winning two of them.

Crystal Palace make three changes to the team that drew 0-0 against West Brom last week. James Tomkins, Timothy Fosu-Mensah and Yohan Cabaye come in for Joel Ward, Martin Kelly and James McArthur.

Crystal Palace XI: Speroni, Fosu-Mensah,Tomkins, Sakho, Schlupp, Milivojevic, Cabaye, Loftus-Cheek, Townsend, Zaha, Benteke.

Subs: Hennessey, van Aanholt, Dann, Kelly, Puncheon, Kaikai, Sako.

Bournemouth make just the one change from their 1-1 draw with Southampton and it is an enforced change. Steve Cook comes in for the suspended Adam Smith.

Bournemouth XI: Begovic, Francis, S Cook, Ake, Surman, Daniels, L Cook, King, Defoe, Stanislas, Fraser.

Subs: Boruc, Gosling, Simpson, Arter, Ibe, Afobe, Wilson.