Preview: Crystal Palace Women vs. Manchester United Women - prediction, team news, lineups

Manchester United Women will round off 2024 with a trip to the VBS Community Stadium for Sunday's meeting with Crystal Palace Women.

The Red Devils will head into the weekend in fourth spot, while Palace are currently propping up the Women's Super League table.

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Match preview

After winning promotion last season, Palace have found it difficult to adapt to life in their first-ever WSL campaign.

Laura Kaminski's side are lying at the foot of the table on goal difference after winning one, drawing two and losing six of their nine league matches.

The Eagles are currently winless in six matches in the WSL - a run which includes defeats in their last two league outings against Aston Villa and West Ham United.

Palace conceded in stoppage time in a 3-2 defeat against the Villans at Villa Park, before they gave up a two-goal advantage to lose 5-2 in last Sunday's away meeting with the Hammers.

Having conceded 25 goals in nine league matches, the Eagles will head into the weekend with the worst defensive record in the division, highlighting a key area for improvement if they are to avoid an immediate return to the Championship.

After losing in their final Women's League Cup group match against Tottenham Hotspur in midweek, Palace will now be fully focused on their final outing of the calendar year, as they go in search of their first-ever WSL home victory.

Unlike Palace, Man United enjoyed a successful outing in the Women's League Cup on Wednesday, with Emma Watson, Rachel Williams, Gabby George and Elisabeth Terland all finding the net in a 5-3 home win over Championship side Newcastle United.

As a result of that win, Man United sealed top spot in Group A with a perfect record, ensuring that they will feature in the quarter-finals in the new year.

Marc Skinner's charges will now turn their focus back to WSL action, with the Red Devils sitting outside the top three on goal difference after winning five, drawing three and losing one of their nine league matches.

Their most recent WSL win arrived last weekend when Terland, Leah Galton, Dominique Janssen and Melvine Malard grabbed a goal apiece in a dominant 4-0 victory over rivals Liverpool.

While they showcased their firepower against Matt Beard's side, Man United's real strength has been their resilience at the opposite end of the pitch, boasting the best defensive record in the WSL with just three goals conceded.

Having recorded six league clean sheets, the Red Devils will be looking to record another shutout when they face the WSL's third-lowest scorers this weekend.

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Team News

Crystal Palace are unable to call upon Elise Hughes and Brooke Aspin, who are both sidelined with knee injuries.

Wales international Josie Green is a doubt for Sunday's home fixture, having been absent from the last two matchday squads.

Having scored three goals in eight WSL appearances, Annabel Blanchard will continue offer one of the home side's main attacking threats.

As for the visitors, Ella Toone remains sidelined with a calf injury, while Lisa Naalsund is ruled out due to a foot problem.

Defender Aoife Mannion is set to return to the matchday squad after missing the last five competitive matches through injury.

Terland will be hoping to continue her impressive run of form, having scored in each of her previous three appearances.

Crystal Palace Women possible starting lineup: Yanez; Riley, Nolan, Everett, Veje, Woodham; Potter, Cato, Cejl; Blanchard, Stengel

Manchester United Women possible starting lineup: Tullis-Joyce; Riviere, Le Tissier, Turner, George; Miyazawa, Janssen; Geyse, Clinton, Galton; Terland

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We say: Crystal Palace Women 0-3 Manchester United Women

Man United have dropped points in four of their previous six league matches, but while they have struggled for consistency in the WSL, we believe that they will showcase their superiority against Palace to sign off 2024 with a comfortable victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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