After an international break that has felt like an eternity, AFC Bournemouth return to action tomorrow at Selhurst Park, for a meeting between two of the biggest surprise packages (if surprising at all) in the Premier League so far this season. Here is how I think Andoni Iraola will line up his side, followed by a match preview:

GK: Djordje Petrovic

Petrovic started both games for Serbia over the international break, as he continues to have played every minute available for club and country so far this campaign.

RB: Alex Jimenez

James Hill started at right back against Fulham, but against a very strong defensive unit, I would expect Jimenez to start, as he is a better attacking full back. He did start for Spain U-21 in midweek (grabbing an assist against Fulham), so I wouldn’t expect him to last the full 90. Adam Smith could be an option off the bench as he nears a return to full fitness.

CBs: Bafode Diakite + Marcos Senesi

It was brilliant to see Senesi make his first start for Argentina over the international break – and much deserved. He did only return to the country on Thursday having been in America, but did train yesterday and today. It might be a tough ask, but I would expect him to start given his importance to the side. Diakite has had a nice couple of weeks of rest and will get the nod tomorrow.

LB: Adrien Truffert

A first assist in the game against Fulham, followed by a nice rest over the international break for Truffert. His only counterpart at left back, Julio Soler, is still on international duty, captaining Argentina U-20 to the World Cup Final, so no doubt Truffert starts again.

DM (‘6’): Tyler Adams

Adams missed a couple of training sessions over the international break as his partner gave birth, so congratulations to him and her. Personally, it was nice to see Adams not go away on international duty, and be allowed some rest. He will be important to stopping the likes of Yeremy Pino tomorrow.

CM (‘8’): Alex Scott

Andoni Iraola’s true trust in Scott was shown against Fulham, as Scott played his first full 90 for the club in goodness knows how long. No longer an England U-21 international due to age, Scott has also had a good couple of weeks of rest, and deserves another start after an excellent campaign so far.

AM (’10’): Justin Kluivert

Kluivert’s moment of magic against Fulham was enough to earn him the start here. That flash of individual quality from absolutely nothing was sensational, and something similar will likely be needed against a very difficult team to break down. He is very good at finding the right space between the lines and will have to be very active and brave tomorrow to try force a result.

WINGERS: MARCUS TAVERNIER + ANTOINE SEMENYO

Remember, this is a prediction, not necessarily what I would go for. Andoni Iraola loves Tav, and against a team with top quality attacking players (especially on the counter), I would expect him to choose the more defensive minded Tavernier from the off in David Brooks’ absence. His work rate is adored by Iraola, and having Gannon-Doak + Adli to run at a tired defence might also factor into his thinking. The best player in the Premier League so far this season, Antoine Semenyo, played both games for Ghana as they secured World Cup qualification over the last couple of weeks, but no doubt he will start this one.

ST: Evanilson

Eva will be desperate for a goal after a lean return so far this season, but the team need to create more for him. His place in the XI is not in any danger of being lost in my opinion, but it will be a tough ask for him this weekend against an excellent back three.

MATCH PREVIEW:

The two games between these sides last season were truly two of the most non-eventful games I have ever seen. Both ended 0-0, and it never really looked like being any other scoreline (even with Palace dubiously having 10 men for over 45 minutes in the match at Selhurst).

Oliver Glasner seems, like others, to know how to nullify and frustrate Andoni Iraola’s side – by playing in a low block. But on the other hand, Palace have not scored against AFCB in their last four league games, with Iraola doing the double over Palace before the two draws last season.

But that was last season, and this is now. Both teams have made a phenomenal start to the campaign, with Palace’s only defeat coming against Everton last time out – even that was quite unfortunate. As previously mentioned, they are extremely well organised, spearheaded at the back by the brilliant Marc Guehi. Even if they do get broken down, Dean Henderson has been one of the best performing keepers in the Premier League this season.

Eberichi Eze was a huge loss for Palace this summer but Yeremy Pino has looked a more than adequate replacement so far, although he remains looking for his first PL goal. Palace pose a huge threat on the counter attack with their pace up front, especially with their gameplan likely to be centred around letting AFCB have the ball. Wing backs Daniel Munoz and Tyrick Mitchell also offer a threat going forward, both registering goals this campaign.

In terms of team news, AFCB are without David Brooks, after he injured his hamstring for Wales against Belgium. Thankfully, it is only a minor injury, and he is not expected to be out for long. As previously mentioned, Adam Smith has returned to training this week, and although not 100%, could ‘help the team’ this weekend, according to Iraola.

Oliver Glasner has no injury concerns whatsoever this weekend, with his whole squad fully fit.

A match between two of the most in form teams in the Premier League should be one I am very excited for, but given our struggles against low blocks in recent times, I am apprehensive about this one. We may need similar moments of individual quality that we saw against Fulham, but against a good team, at a very tough ground, they might be harder to come by.

PREDICTION: CRYSTAL PALACE 1-0 AFC BOURNEMOUTH