Crystal Palace return to the Women’s Super League after a dramatic promotion campaign under Jo Potter, aiming to avoid an immediate relegation. Their prior top-flight experience, strengthened squad and home form will be central to their survival prospects, although a difficult opening run offers an early test.

Palace won 12 of their final 14 second-tier matches to secure promotion ahead of Charlton, and have signed Bethany England, goalkeeper Pauline Peyraud-Magnin and defender Molly Bartrip. England, 32, has scored 87 WSL goals and brings extensive experience, while My Cato has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury; the writers’ average prediction places Palace 13th.