Two relegations rivals will face off when West Ham United Women play host to Crystal Palace Women in Sunday's Women's Super League contest.
The Hammers are languishing in 11th position with five points to their name, with goal difference keeping them above their 12th-placed opponents.
Match preview
West Ham United Women's Riko Ueki celebrates after scoring on September 29, 2024© Imago
West Ham are hovering above the sole relegation spot after winning one, drawing two and losing five of their eight league games this season.
Rehanne Skinner's side failed to any of their first six league matches before they finally got in the win column with a narrow 1-0 home victory against Leicester City.
The Hammers looked set to follow up that result with a draw against Brighton & Hove Albion after they fought back from two goals down to level the scoreline thanks to Katrina Gorry's quickfire brace.
However, Fran Kirby went on to net an 82nd-minute winner to condemn West Ham to a 3-2 defeat, extending their winless away run to 10 league matches.
Having struggled on the road, West Ham will be pleased to have home advantage for Sunday's crucial fixture, with the hosts hoping to win consecutive home WSL games for the first time since 2021-22.
Crystal Palace Women's Annabel Blanchard on September 27, 2024© Imago
Palace have found wins hard to come in their maiden WSL campaign, having won just one of their eight top-flight matches this season (D2, L5).
That solitary victory arrived on matchday three when Annabel Blanchard netted a brace in a 2-0 victory over Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
The Eagles have gone on to lose three of their last five league matches, including a dramatic 3-2 defeat in their most recent league outing against Aston Villa.
Blanchard thought she had salvaged a point when she netted an 86th-minute equaliser to level the scoreline at two goals apiece, only for Ebony Salmon to score a stoppage-time winner to condemn the Eagles to a 3-2 defeat.
While they would have been disappointed to lose late on, the Eagles can at least take some confidence from the fact they have scored five goals in their last three WSL away matches, making them the fifth-highest away scorers in the top flight this term.
West Ham United Women Women's Super League form:
Crystal Palace Women Women's Super League form:
Team News
West Ham United Women's Katrina Gorry on September 29, 2024© Imago
West Ham are unable to call upon midfielder Kristie Mewis, who announced last month she is expecting her first child with fiancee Sam Kerr.
Jess Ziu remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Gorry will have to be assessed after she picked up a shoulder issue in the defeat to Brighton.
Having collected four yellow cards in the WSL, forward Vivianne Asseyi is just one booking away from receiving a one-match ban.
As for the visitors, they are expected to be without the services of Elise Hughes and Hayley Nolan due to knee and shoulder injuries respectively.
Chelsea loanee Brooke Aspin has returned to her parent club after she sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury while on duty with the England Under-23 side.
Blanchard will offer one of Palace's main goal threats, having scored three of Palace's six goals in the WSL this season.
West Ham United Women possible starting lineup:
Szemik; Smith, Tysiak, Zadorsky, Denton; Pavi, Brynjarsdottir, Siren, Asseyi; Ueki, Piubel
Crystal Palace Women possible starting lineup:
Yanez; Riley, Green, Everett, Veje, Woodham; Potter, Cato, Blanchard; Gejl, Stengel
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We say: West Ham United Women 1-1 Crystal Palace Women
With the two relegation-threatened sides currently on five points, we think there will be little to choose between them in Sunday's WSL clash, and we believe they could produce a cagey contest where the spoils are eventually shared.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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