Sports Mole previews Sunday’s Women’s Super League clash between Crystal Palace Women and Manchester City Women, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Manchester City Women will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they travel to Selhurst Park for Sunday’s Women’s Super League encounter against Crystal Palace Women
Meanwhile, the newly-promoted side will be looking to spring a surprise as they go in search of their second league win of the season.
Match preview
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Palace have made a mixed start to their first-ever WSL campaign, with their first five matches producing one win, one draw and three defeats.
The Eagles were swept in their first two matches, losing 4-0 to Tottenham Hotspur before falling to a heavy 7-0 away defeat against reigning champions Chelsea.
After getting off to a disappointing start, Palace offered a positive response on matchday three when they recorded a 2-0 away victory over Leicester City.
Although they followed that win with a loss to Brighton & Hove Albion, the Eagles would have been satisfied with a 1-1 draw in their away meeting with Liverpool in their final outing before the international break.
Palace will be aware they will have their work cut in Sunday’s fixture against title hopefuls Man City, but their first objective will be to get on the scoresheet after failing to score in their opening two WSL home matches.
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Man City went into the international break in imperious form after winning eight and drawing one of their nine competitive matches.
That draw took place in league clash against Arsenal on September 22, meaning the Citizens are currently enjoying a seven-game winning run in all competitions.
Man City have recorded four of those victories in the top flight, having beaten Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United, Liverpool and Aston Villa in the WSL this season.
As a result of their fine form, Gareth Taylor‘s side currently sit top of the WSL table with a two-point lead over Chelsea and a three-point gap to Manchester United, although they have played one game more than both of those sides.
Having won nine of their last 10 WSL away games, Man City will be confident of maintaining their lead at the WSL summit with a win over the Eagles on Sunday.
Crystal Palace Women Women’s Super League form:
Crystal Palace Women form (all competitions):
Manchester City Women Women’s Super League form:
Manchester City Women form (all competitions):
Team News
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The hosts are unable to call upon Elise Hughes and Hayley Nolan due to knee and shoulder injuries respectively.
Palace boss Laura Kaminski could opt for consistency and select the same lineup that started the draw with Liverpool before the international break.
After scoring her first Palace goal, Stengel will look to find the net again when she leads the line against Man City.
Meanwhile, Man City striker Vivianne Miedema is unavailable for selection after she recently underwent a minor procedure to resolve a knee issue.
The Citizens are also having to cope without the services of Risa Shimizu and Sandy MacIver due to anterior cruciate ligament injuries.
Naomi Layzell is making progress in her injury recovery, but the defender remains sidelined for Sunday’s WSL fixture.
Crystal Palace Women possible starting lineup:
Yanez; Green, Aspin, Veje, Woodham; Cato, Potter; Riley, Blanchard, Gejl; Stengel
Manchester City Women possible starting lineup:
Yamashita; Casparij, Aleixandri, Greenwood, Ouahabi; Park, Hasegawa, Roord; Fowler, Hemp, Shaw
We say: Crystal Palace Women 0-3 Manchester City Women
Man City have been in imperious form in the early stages of the season, we think the title hopefuls will showcase their wealth of quality to record a comfortable victory over a Palace that have lost both of their top-flight home matches this season.
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