Watch LIVE: Palace Women cruising towards promotion on the final day
Crystal Palace Women can seal promotion to the WSL with a win against Portsmouth this afternoon – and with the teams announced, you'll soon be able to watch the game LIVE (KO: 15:00 BST) and FREE below!
What's today's team news?
With three points guaranteeing promotion for Palace this afternoon, Jo Potter makes two changes to the side which emerged such impressive victors against Sunderland last weekend at the Stadium of Light.
In the back line, Hayley Nolan comes back into the starting XI, with Lucy Newell moving to the bench.
In midfield, meanwhile, Hayley Ladd is unavailable, meaning Ruesha Littlejohn starts for the Eagles on the final day of the campaign.
For already-relegated Portsmouth, meanwhile, there are four changes from last weekend, with Annie Hutchings and Greta Humphries unavailable for selection and Izzy Collins suspended.
Palace: Yañez (GK), Swaby, Everett, Nolan, Sharpe, Littlejohn, Cato, Weerden, Blanchard, Larkin, Howat
Subs: Annets (GK), De La Rue Browne (GK), Arthur, Brown, Newell, Brady, Hughes, Lee, Moynihan.
Portsmouth: Gray (GK), Bull, Barker, Rowbotham, Hornby, Shepherd, Wilding, Nixon, Estcourt, Peacock, Milner.
Subs: Erhabor (GK), Coan, Younger, Jones, Woolley, Pitman, Young, Sheffield, Dahou.
What do Palace need to do today?
After a dramatic penultimate day in the WSL2, a win on the final day will see Palace automatically promoted to the WSL.
Following last weekend's 2-1 win away in Sunderland, Palace Women are in third-place with 41 points - the promotion playoff position.
Charlton Athletic sit in first, one point ahead of Palace on 42 points. Second-place Birmingham City are level on points with Palace, but have a significantly better goal difference (+7).
The order of the top three will now come down to the final day, with Palace taking on a relegated Portsmouth at the VBS, whilst Charlton face Birmingham City at home.
- If Palace win against Portsmouth, they will guarantee second-place and automatic promotion to the WSL, as a minimum.
- If Palace draw against Portsmouth, they can still finish second if there is a winner in the Charlton v Birmingham game.
- If Palace lose against Portsmouth, they will finish third – and face a play-off in three' weeks time at Sutton – unless Charlton beat Birmingham by more than eight goals.
- To finish first and win the league title, Palace will need to win and hope the Charlton v Birmingham game ends in a draw.
How can I watch the game?
The game kicks off on Saturday, 2nd May at 15:00 BST at the VBS Community Stadium and will be broadcast live on the Barclays Women's Super League 2 YouTube channel.
If you can't watch the game, the best place to follow all the action live on matchday is via our Palace Women X channel and Instagram channel, with live updates and content throughout the afternoon.
You can also follow via the official Crystal Palace App, through which goal updates and other important notifications are delivered straight to your phone, keeping you informed of all the goals and key incidents for both sides.
Throughout the game, live Opta stats on the app will also keep you up to date with all the action. Even from ahead of matchday, and after the full-time whistle, you can follow all the action, with previews, reaction and video all in one place.
The Opposition
Portsmouth Women have a storied history dating back to 1914, though the modern club was officially formed in 1987.
Gemma Hillier is a legendary figure for Portsmouth Women, holding the club's all-time record for both goals and appearances and in 2018, she became the first Portsmouth Women player to be inducted into Portsmouth FC's Hall of Fame.
In 2024, Portsmouth Women took on fully professional Newcastle in the Semi-Final of the League Cup at St James Park, in front a bumper crowd of 22,307.
- Head Coach: Jay Sadler
- Nickname: Pompey
- Ground: Westleigh Park, Fratton Park
- Founded: 1987 (39 years ago)
Match Details
- Crystal Palace Women v Portsmouth Women
- Saturday, 2nd May (15:00 BST)
- Barclays Women's Super League 2
- VBS Community Stadium