Match preview: Crystal Palace v United Women
Manchester United Women are in action on Sunday afternoon as we head to south London to face bottom side Crystal Palace in the Women's Super League.
The Reds have been in free-scoring mode recently, with nine goals in our last two matches, so Marc Skinner’s team will hope to carry on as we left off and potentially leapfrog Arsenal into third place this weekend.
Level on points with the Gunners in third and only four behind Manchester City in second, a win would do our Champions League qualification hopes a world of good entering the mid-season winter break.
So, without further ado, here's everything you need to know ahead of our first WSL meeting with Palace...
Press conference: Crystal Palace v United Women
Press conference | Marc Skinner is joined by journalists at Carrington to preview United's WSL trip to Crystal Palace...
HOW TO WATCH AND FOLLOW
The WSL Youtube channel will show the game live, with coverage set to begin at 14:00 GMT, just in time for kick-off at the VBS Community Stadium in Sutton.
You will be able to find updates in the United app, while short and extended highlights will be available from midday on Monday 16 December across our official platforms.
WHAT IS THE TEAM NEWS?
United Women’s record appearance-maker and all-time top goalscorer Ella Toone remains out with a calf injury that sees her sidelined until the New Year.
Like Toone, fellow midfielder Lisa Naalsund will not play before Christmas and is unavailable for selection against Palace.
Defender Aoife Mannion is in contention to return however, following a recent spell out of action.
OPPOSITION REPORT
Laura Kaminski’s side has had a tough time of it recently, sitting at the bottom of the WSL and having been knocked out of the League Cup in the group stage following a midweek defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.
With only five points from nine games, the Eagles would have been hoping for a better start to life after being promoted from the Championship last season but are still within touching distance of safety, level on points with Leicester City in 11th place, and know that a win on Sunday could see them move up to ninth.
Veteran American striker Katie Stengel is one to watch, with the summer signing having joined from Gotham FC in her native country following a previous spell with Liverpool, in which she netted 19 goals across 42 appearances.
Stengel is a player that Skinner picked out in his pre-match press conference on Friday, while highlighting the quality that Palace have, even if the table does not quite show it at present.
He said: “They’ve conceded a few goals that I think they wouldn’t be happy with, but they’re scoring goals. They are in a position where I think they’ve been tough. We played against Katie Stengel when she was at Liverpool and she’s a handful. They’re thriving under the pressure they’ve got. I think they’re doing a really good job and it will be a difficult game.”
Key quotes: Skinner’s press conference
ArticleRead our round-up from Friday’s in-person media session at Carrington, as the boss looked ahead to Palace away.
The last time we faced Palace in the league was during the 2018/19 Championship campaign, with the Reds doing the double over the Eagles, winning 5-0 away and 7-0 at home.
Twelve of our last 14 WSL wins have come with a clean sheet, so that is a record Skinner’s side will hope to add to during the trip south this weekend.
WHO ELSE IS IN ACTION THIS WEEKEND?
The WSL has its last weekend before a month-long break, and below is a full list of every game on the schedule...
SATURDAY 14 DECEMBER
Leicester City v Chelsea (12:00)
Brighton and Hove Albion (17:30)
SUNDAY 15 DECEMBER
Everton v Manchester City (12:00)
Aston Villa v West Ham United (14:00)
Crystal Palace v UNITED (14:00)
Liverpool v Arsenal (14:30)
All times listed are in GMT.