Crystal Palace and Bournemouth do battle at Selhurst Park this weekend with the two teams still looking for their first point of the new Premier League season.
Heading into matchday three, they occupy the bottom two places in the standings and both managers are under pressure to ensure that they do not reach the first international break propping up the table.
Crystal Palace
© Getty Images
Crystal Palace's problems in front of goal have been well-documented, with no player scoring more than seven goals in a top-flight season since their return to the Premier League in 2013.
That has continued into the opening two games of this season with Palace failing to score against West Bromwich Albion or Tottenham Hotspur, but manager Alan Pardew will be hoping that he has found a solution to the team's lack of firepower with the signing of Christian Benteke.
The Belgian international has had his critics but he still managed nine league goals for Liverpool last season - despite only starting 14 times - and has registered a total of 51 strikes since first arriving in English football three years ago.
Pardew has taken a calculated risk in bringing Benteke to Selhurst Park but he will be relatively satisfied with the make-up of the rest of his side, having only conceded two goals in three games.
The Eagles boss will be disappointed that both goals have come from set pieces but he will take the positives from having not conceded from open play in 270 minutes of football in all competitions.
The pace that is present in Bournemouth's attack is likely to threaten that record but for a team who are currently sitting in 19th position in the table, Palace and Pardew can be optimistic about their future.
Recent form: LL
Recent form (all competitions): LLW
Bournemouth
© Getty Images
Bournemouth may sit at the bottom of the table but for the majority of their first two games this season, they have held their own against higher-quality opposition.
An individual mistake put Manchester United on the road to recording a 3-1 victory on the opening day of the season, despite Bournemouth starting and ending the game on the front foot, while Harry Arter's sending-off against West Ham United acted as the catalyst for the Hammers to net a late winner last weekend.
Eddie Howe would have preferred to have played worse and had at least a point on the board but he will be confident that he has put together a strong squad at the Vitality Stadium and one that can keep their heads above water for a second season in succession.
One player whose performances could dictate where Bournemouth finish in the table is Callum Wilson, and Howe will be delighted to have had his star striker come through a full pre-season and feature in two league games after his serious knee injury last year.
However, with Benik Afobe and Lewis Grabban both looking to secure a recall to the team, he will be aware that he needs to return to the scoresheet sooner rather than later and Saturday afternoon may be his final chance before his boss contemplates a change.
Lys Mousset is another who will come into contention after coming off the bench in Bournemouth's 2-1 victory over Morecambe in the EFL Cup but now, Howe is likely to stick with the same players who have given a good account of themselves against United and West Ham.
Recent form: LL
Recent form (all competitions): LLW
Team News
© Getty Images
Despite his failure to score against Blackpool in the EFL Cup, Benteke is expected to be handed his Premier League debut for Palace ahead of Connor Wickham.
However, Pardew has a major decision to make involving Wilfried Zaha, with the winger said to have told his manager that he wishes to leave for Spurs.
If Zaha is out of contention, Yohan Cabaye could be selected or Wickham could switch to the flank.
As for Bournemouth, Howe will be able to call upon Arter after he served his one-match suspension in midweek.
Alterations are likely to be kept to a minimum but Max Gradel is pushing for a recall after his contribution against Morecambe and Lewis Cook is available again after missing out last weekend.
Crystal Palace possible starting lineup:
Hennessey; Ward, Dann, Delaney, Souare; Puncheon, Ledley; Cabaye, Townsend, Lee; Benteke
Bournemouth possible starting lineup:
Boruc, Francis, Cook, A.Smith, Daniels, Surman, Arter, Fraser, Ibe, King, Wilson
Head To Head
This weekend's fixture will be the 67th time that the two teams have played each other in a competitive match, with Bournemouth having previously won 28 times compared to the 22 victories for Palace.
However, the only two matches that have been played since 1989 took place last season and Bournemouth came through both contests without defeat.
After a goalless draw at the Vitality Stadium in December, Bournemouth ran out 2-1 winners at Palace thanks to a winning goal from new signing Benik Afobe.
We say: Crystal Palace 1-1 Bournemouth
Pardew will be confident that his Palace side possess greater firepower after the acquisition of Benteke, but Bournemouth showed against West Ham that they can trouble the opposition on their travels. Palace are the marginal favourites but we are backing the Cherries to gain a point on their second visit to London in the space of a week.
No Data Analysis info
